A large dust storm on Mars which began on 30 May, started to diminish power generation on the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity as the sun was blocked out from its solar arrays. This became serious from 8 June when science operations were ordered to be ended. On 10 June 2018, the rover made a final transmission as stored power dropped to just 22 watt hours in its batteries (down from 645 watt hours) which, in turn, triggered a shut down. Engineers are trying to restore contact with the rover and remain hopeful that it may yet be able to recover sufficient power generation to restart itself once the dust storm is over – assuming that dust does not cover all of the power generating solar arrays. The rover is however over 15 years old.
Mars rover Opportunity’s view of the sun as the darkening dust storm hit. Courtesy: NASA-JPL/Caltech-TAMU
