Junior Astronomer - Mars Perseverance

Information summraised from from NASA JPL where more indepth descriptions and further information can be found.

Also more information can be found here

NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover will land on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021. Perseverance is the most sophisticated rover NASA has ever sent to the Red Planet, with a name that embodies NASA’s passion, and our nation’s capability, to take on and overcome challenges. It will collect carefully selected and documented rock and sediment samples for future return to Earth, search for signs of ancient microbial life, characterize the planet’s geology and climate, and pave the way for human exploration beyond the Moon.

Perseverance is also ferrying several cutting-edge technologies to the surface of Mars – including a helicopter named Ingenuity, the first aircraft to attempt powered, controlled flight on another planet.

7 Things to Know About the Mars 2020 Perseverance Mission

Very soon, the Perseverance rover, built at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, will become the next robotic inhabitant of Mars, joining another rover, a lander, and multiple orbiters currently at work on or around the Red Planet. What sets this explorer apart?

1. Perseverance is searching for signs of ancient life

2. The rover is landing in a place with a high potential for finding these signs of past microbial life

3. Perseverance is also collecting important data about Mars’ geology and climate

4. The Perseverance rover embodies the NASA – and the scientific – spirit of overcoming challenges

5. Perseverance is the first leg of a round trip to Mars

6. Perseverance carries instruments and technology that will help pave the way for future human missions to the Moon and Mars

7. You will get to ride along

Text and pictures copyright of NASA