What Martian event led to the eventual failure of the *Opportunity* rover's operations?
Answer
A planet-encircling dust storm blocking sunlight.
The rover's working life ended because a massive dust storm shrouded Mars, blocking the solar energy required to recharge its solar panels.
Related Questions
What was the primary directive for the *Opportunity* rover?How long was the *Opportunity* mission initially planned to last?What key minerals were scientists looking for as evidence of past water?What specific feature of the rover's arm was key to analyzing fresh rock material?Where was *Opportunity's* twin rover, *Spirit*, tasked with exploring?What was the approximate total distance *Opportunity* traversed across Mars?What discovery cemented the case for ancient watery environments based on specific iron oxide spheres?What Martian event led to the eventual failure of the *Opportunity* rover's operations?When was the last communication successfully received from the *Opportunity* rover?What geological feature did the science team make a major stop at that offered new chapters in Martian history?What fundamental aspect of planetary exploration did *Opportunity's* extended endurance redefine?