Meet the Mars Samples

Meet the Mars Samples

As the Perseverance rover collects samples on Mars for potential delivery to Earth as part of Mars Sample Return, mission team members are sharing what makes each sample unique. Latest in the video series: Two "holy grail" sedimentary rocks whose counterpart rocks on Earth preserve signs of life for a very long time. If that's also true on Mars, the samples may help answer questions about possible past life on Mars. Watch Video Mars Sample Return

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Quick Facts

3D model image of the Perseverance Rover
  • Mission Name: Mars 2020
  • Rover Name: Perseverance
  • Main Job: Seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for possible return to Earth.
  • Launch: July 30, 2020
  • Landing: Feb. 18, 2021, Jezero Crater, Mars
  • Helicopter: The Mars Helicopter completed its 30-day technology demonstration and continues in its operations demo phase.

  • Explore the Rover in 3D

Mars Rock Samples

Learn more about the diverse set of samples the rover has collected,
which could one day be returned to Earth by Mars Sample Return.

Image of various rock samples taken by Perseverance rover





View Rock Samples

View in VR
and 360°

Explore with Perseverance

Explore Jezero Crater using this interactive map that lets you zoom in and see where the Perseverance rover is located.

VIEW INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

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