Posted: Mon, Apr 26, 2004, 8:48 PM ET (0048 GMT)
Opportunity, one of NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers, has completed its primary mission by operating on the surface of the Red Planet for 90 days, project officials said Monday. The rover, which landed in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars on January 24, has traveled over 800 meters since then, moving from the small crater it landed in to within 200 meters of the larger Endurance Crater. Both Spirit, which landed three weeks earlier, and Opportunity have achieved all the requirements of their primary mission. NASA has provided additional funding to continue operations of both rovers until as late as September, if the conditions of the rovers permit. Spirit is expected to reach its destination, the Columbia Hills, in about 50 days.

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