The expansive universe of Starfield
In the expansive universe of the game Starfield, with over 1,000 planets to explore, players would often find themselves in familiar territories - our own solar system. Early on in the storyline, players get the opportunity to visit earth and its galactic neighbors, including Mars.
Mars and its treasures
The rusty-red planet, known for being home to the mining colony Cydonia, offers an array of interesting quests for players. Venturing across this planet in the game has its own rewards, including finding the final resting site of a piece of tangible space exploration history – the Opportunity rover.
Players stumbled upon the famous rover after an image of the encounter was shared online, which showed them kneeling before the rover to 'show respect to one of the original space explorers.' The rover is a part of a quest that players can find late in the game's main story.
The Opportunity Rover
The Opportunity rover holds a significant place in the history of space exploration. After being launched in 2003 with an operational plan of 90 days, it surprisingly lasted for over 14 years, making vital discoveries during this period. It is regarded as one of the most successful space missions ever.
It was in 2018 when NASA lost contact with Opportunity and shared the rover's final transmission: 'My battery is low, and it's getting dark.' The message garnered public sympathy, and the following year, when NASA declared the mission over, there was an outpouring of emotional support and grieving online, mourning the end of this adventurous and fruitful project.
Real-world references in Starfield
The inclusion of the Opportunity rover in Starfield is a fitting Easter egg, mirroring the game's themes and inspirations. However, Opportunity is not the only real-world space mission referenced in the game. Players have discovered significant historical moments like Apollo 11, with the game's watch even being inspired by the moon landing.
Continued Coverage
For lovers of the game, our coverage of Starfield related news continues, including the latest updates, guides, and much more.