NASA Mars Rover DEAD: Heartbreaking moment Opportunity sent back its last ever Mars image

“The team is continuing to listen for the rover over a broad range of times, frequencies and polarisations using the Deep Space Network (DSN) Radio Science Receiver.

“Since the loss of signal, over 835 recovery commands have been radiated to the rover.”

Steve Squyres, lead scientist for the Spirit and Opportunity rovers says Opportunity deserves an “honourable death” after years of service.

He said: “I thought we might get 6 to 8 months on these things, maybe as much as a year.

“If a spacecraft functions for 15 years and dies in one of the biggest dust storms Mars has seen in decades, that’s an honourable death.”

The rover has more than earned its rest, having clocked 5499 days on what was originally a 90-day mission.