Good Night Oppy

What a beautifully done documentary. I'm old enough to remember the promise of the 21st century that was popularized in the 1960s. To say that this century so far has been disappointing is an understatement. Following current events can be disheartening.

Then I watch something like this and I am reminded that there are people in the world who are still working on that promise my 6th grade science teacher made about how exciting space exploration would be in "the future." These are the people who are keeping that hopefulness alive and I am grateful for them.

This film is made in that spirit of my 6th grade teacher. It isn't highly technical and doesn't seek to teach the technical or science behind the mission. Instead, it is inspirational and enlightening because it reminds us that it really isn't robots exploring other worlds, but human beings who are dedicated to something that will make a mark on the future.

Humans are on Mars and they are exploring another planet.

We all make ripples in our worlds that go further and last longer than our short lives on earth. These dedicated engineers and scientists are remarkable and their ripples will be felt by generations to come even if no one knows or remembers their names. The knowledge they acquire will outlive them. I think that is what makes a human life meaningful. This film will help expand that meaning. I highly recommend this film to anyone who cares about those higher aspirations.

How does one make a documentary about two scientific wonders that is relatable , inspiring, heartfelt and educational at the same time? Well the producers tried and achieved this with flying colours. I watched this with my 11 year old space mad son and we both shed happy tears several times. An unbeleievable journey spanning 15 years which is so much more than just the machines themselves. It represents everything I love about NASA and the spirit of curiosity and discovery in human beings. I had no idea what it takes to launch such missions and I am so mush wiser after watching this. Surprised at the negativity on here - if people expect an unrelatable science lecture through this documentary - then they should get a hint from the loving title that this isn't what this documentary is about at all. A fantastic watch over the Christmas period which will leave you feeling all warm and inspired and restore your faith in the good things human beings stand for (amidst the constant stream of negative news). Just watch it!

I watch all space exploration shows through my Dad's eyes. He was born in 1899, was in the second class of electrical engineers at Penn State, worked over 40 years at General Electric) and he never tired of the "New". He died in 1987, having watched every launch, every landing, and heard every word. He set his alarm to wake up and watch landings, even if on at 3:00 AM. The shuttle was a fascination. Nothing was boring.

Perhaps because he worked for General Electric (very involved with space programs) ? But his engineering background just lit him up.

I have read a lot of reviews for this film, and realize how jaded folks can be today. We are so used to new accomplishments, the new stuff is boring?

I am not finished with this movie yet, but when I watched Oppy roll onto the surface of Mars, I teared up. Proud of human accomplishment. Anticipating what is coming. Wishing I could go to Mars so I can channel the sites and sounds through my senses to my dad. (Yes I am fascinated by Quantam Physics!). We should all watch these accomplishments and be amazed what we can do without fighting with each other.

This documentary is made with love for two inorganic characters, that display endurance far beyond their design specifications.

The teams behind Spirit and Opportunity exhibit NASA's mission, vision, and values well. The film can serve as a recruitment vehicle for future scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

Autonomous vehicles explore what is inaccessible to humans in technologies current state. Good Night Oppy, explores the adventures of two unmanned vehicles as they traverse the inhospitable planet, Mars.

What these two vehicles encountered rewrote our history books and paved the way for the vehicles and people that will continue NASA's mission.

Beauty!

A worthy epilogue for one of the most daring feat of human exploration- full of emotion and passion.

For those that were young when the twin missions were launched, our hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow and our childhoods were intertwined with the discoveries and daily updates about this mission.

Thus, pretty much like for those magnificent human beings that toiled towards making this happen, Opportunity and Spirit became more than robots- in them we could see the reflections of human dedication and perseverance.

Good night, Oppy! Good Night Spirit! May the stars watch over you!