Mars Opportunity rover. NASA's Mars exploration rover Opportunity on Mars. This image shows that the lander's solar panels are relatively dust free and so should be able to work efficiently. This is one of two identical rovers sent to Mars in the summer of 2003. Opportunity landed successfully on 24th January 2004. Its mission is to analyse soil and rocks and search for water. Mosaic of images from Opportunity's panoramic camera, taken on the rover's 322nd and 323rd Martian days, 19th and 20th December 2004.