The fact that there were any images at all is a testament to the awesome engineering done on the MSL project. There was no guaranty that any images would be available from the Hazcams. The images were broadcast up to Opportunity orbiting above because the MSL was on the other side of Mars and does not have a direct line to Earth. The Opportunity was also about to go over the horizon so it also was going to lose contact. It was a masterful ballet of engineering and precision timing. What a great achievement.
