2007 Regional Dust Storm (MER Solar Panel Crisis)

The 2007 regional dust storm presented the most severe threat to surface solar-powered missions since the Viking era. At its peak, Opportunity's solar panel output dropped to less than 1% of normal levels, forcing the rover into a near-total hibernation mode with only survival heaters active. JPL engineers monitored power margins daily and prepared contingency plans for a permanent loss of communication. Opportunity survived; when the storm cleared, wind gusts unexpectedly cleaned dust from the solar panels, restoring power levels higher than before the storm. The event shaped future mission planning for dust event survivability.