" Opportunity this week quietly embarks on its tenth year of exploration"

Isn't it 9 years? Not 10?

It has been 9 years since it landed, however after January 24th it is embarking (starting) on it's tenth year on mars.

I just read that the nuclear sysyem on Curiosity will provide . power for 14 years, but the rover itself is expected last only 2 years:
http://www.digita...g-facts/

Is there any possibility that Curiosity will pull an Opportunity and last many years longer than anticipated?

Is there any possibility that Curiosity will pull an Opportunity and last many years longer than anticipated?

There's always a possibility. And there's certainly enough science to do to merit an extended run.

Remember that these machines are a bit overdesigned (as you can't really go out and fix them if something should break prematurely). So I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted longer than intended.

I just read that the nuclear sysyem on Curiosity will provide . power for 14 years, but the rover itself is expected last only 2 years:

That's just a matter of the way NASA does its budget. They have only put aside money to fund the Earth-based facilities and staff for two years. As with Curiosity, we may find that as the rover gets older, some parts may not work any more, or they need to reduce daily operating hours, or it gets stuck in a sand storm for six months, etc. Once it gets closer to the two year mark, they'll budget an extension to the mission that fits with the situation at that time. Two years is a long time in such a hostile environment.

If the rover is still healthy, you can bet your back side that they will extend the mission till it doesn't work any more. Even if it's only a stationary weather station, they'll provide the funding to collect and store the data.

What I worry about in terms of extended missions is our ability to communicate with Mars.

It's a coup on Curiosity to find phyllosilicates (indicating habitability vs water and pH) first. Now C _has_ to find organics. =)

@geokstr: Deduct the 2 years that Curiosity was delayed, the MMRTG isotope core was prepared before that, and 1 year for travel et cetera. Perhaps 11 year left of nominal 14 year MMRTG. The 2 years was the nominal (minimum) mission requirement.

But, the rover can die like Opportunity and the Voyagers, cutting down on instruments as they (O) or the power source (Vs) decays. The Vs has lasted for decades, as the isotopes used last for nearly a century.