NASA's Opportunity rover sets record by clocking up 40km on Mars

NASA's Mars rover Opportunity has broken the record for extra-terrestrial travel.

The solar-powered robot has clocked up 40 kilometres on the red planet after arriving in 2004.

Originally, Opportunity was meant to cover just one kilometre.

NASA says its achievement is remarkable but what is more important is the scientific work the rover has done.

Opportunity and its twin rover, Spirit - now defunct - discovered wet environmental conditions on ancient Mars, some of which are mild enough to have been favourable for life.

Opportunity is now exploring the Endeavour Crater.



Mars Exploration Rover Project manager John Callas of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said Opportunity was never designed for beyond one kilometre.

"Opportunity has driven farther than any other wheeled vehicle on another world," Mr Callas said.

"This is so remarkable considering Opportunity was intended to drive about one kilometre and was never designed for distance."

Opportunity's next-generation robotic counterpart, the Curiosity rover, launched in 2012 is exploring near the Gale Crater on Mars.

The previous record for extra-terrestial travel was set in 1973 by the Soviet Lunokhod-Two moon rover.