When NASA successfully landed the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity – nicknamed ‘Oppy’ – in 2004, the plan was to explore the Martian terrain for 90 days. Through expert engineering and careful handling, Oppy was able to exceed its designed lifespan 60 times over, exploring the planet for nearly 15 years. Over the course of its impressive expedition, Oppy made a number of key geological discoveries and broke several records, including longest off-world distance travelled at 28 miles. Then, in 2018, following one of the most intense dust storms ever recorded on Mars, Oppy relayed its final message to Earth: ‘My battery is low and it’s getting dark.’ This short video from the US filmmaker John D Boswell, also known as Melodysheep, uses images captured by Oppy and music composed using the sounds of Martian winds to pay anthropomorphic tribute to the resilient rover – and by extension, those responsible for its awe-inspiring journey.
Video by John D Boswell
Website: Melodysheep
videoEngineering
How water-based clocks revolutionised the way we measure time
10 minutes
videoEngineering
Building a prosperous future demands bold ideas. These are some of the boldest
40 minutes
videoMaking
On the Norwegian coast, a tree is transformed into a boat the old-fashioned way
6 minutes
videoEngineering
Can monumental ‘ice stupas’ help remote Himalayan villages survive?
15 minutes
videoEngineering
From simple motors to levitating trains – how design shapes innovation
24 minutes
videoAstronomy
The remarkable innovations inspired by our need to know the night sky
5 minutes
videoPhysics
To change the way you see the Moon, view it from the Sun’s perspective
5 minutes
videoSpace exploration
The rarely told story of the fruit flies, primates and canines that preceded us in space
12 minutes
videoPhysics
The rhythms of a star system inspire a pianist’s transfixing performance
5 minutes