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UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Delta II | Opportunity Rover

SUCCESSJul 8, 2003 at 03:18 UTCDelta II →
PADSpace Launch Complex 17B
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →
ORBITHeliocentric N/A
TYPEPlanetary Science

Opportunity, also known as MER-B or MER-1, and nicknamed “Oppy”, is a robotic rover that was active on Mars from 2004 until the middle of 2018. Opportunity was able to stay operational for 5111 sols after landing, maintaining its power and key systems through continual recharging of its batteries using solar power, and hibernating during events such as dust storms to save power. Due to the planetary 2018 dust storm on Mars, Opportunity ceased communications on June 10 and entered hibernation on June 12, 2018. It was hoped it would reboot once the weather cleared, but it did not, suggesting either a catastrophic failure or that a layer of dust had covered its solar panels.

VEHICLE
Delta II
MISSION
Opportunity Rover
MISSION TYPE
Planetary Science
TARGET ORBIT
Heliocentric N/A
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 4360ffb4-efae-415b-bb0b-6abfc6c4c586
Reported date: Jul 8, 2003 at 03:18 UTC
Last synced: 14 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
United Launch Alliance
VARIANT
7925H-9.5
FLIGHTS
3
SUCCESSES
3
SUCCESS RATE
100%

Delta II is an American space launch system developed by McDonnell Douglas, now part of the Delta rocket family operated by United Launch Alliance. With more than 150 missions and a nearly perfect track record, Delta II has established itself as one of the most successful orbital launch systems.

When is the Delta II | Opportunity Rover launch?
The Delta II | Opportunity Rover is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at 3:18 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Opportunity Rover?
The Delta II | Opportunity Rover mission uses the Delta II rocket, manufactured by United Launch Alliance. The Delta II has flown 3 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Delta II | Opportunity Rover launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Opportunity Rover going to?
The Opportunity Rover mission is targeting Heliocentric N/A.
Who is launching Opportunity Rover?
The Delta II | Opportunity Rover is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Delta II | Opportunity Rover launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch date set: Jul 8, 2003 at 03:18 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Jan 27, 2019 02:10 UTC
JPL still trying to contact Opportunity rover on Mars
Spaceflight Now
Last data sync: 14 hours ago
Launch Library 214 hours ago
Launch ID: 4360ffb4-efae-415b-bb0b-6abfc6c4c586
Spaceflight News API14 hours ago
6 articles matched
Open-Meteo Weather14 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.45, -80.57
YouTube Video Search14 hours ago
1 video discovered