Perseverance Rover Updates

These updates are provided by self-selected Mars 2020 mission team members who love to share what Perseverance is doing with the public. Dates of planned rover activities described in these blogs are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

The partially illuminated core is visible in this image of Perseverance’s coring bit. The diameter of the core is 1.3 cm.

Comet Geyser: Perseverance’s 21st Rock Core

3 min read

After investigating the high-standing bedrock at the Bunsen Peak workspace deep within the Margin Unit, the unique nature and composition of this rock was deemed worthy for collection of Perseverance’s 21th rock core sample, Comet Geyser! Bunsen Peak is named…

Article3 days ago
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving.

Perseverance Pays off When Studying the Martian Atmosphere

3 min read

Studying the atmosphere with Perseverance can be challenging! Imagine spotting an interesting cloud in a photo taken yesterday; unlike something interesting on the surface, more observations just aren’t possible, as it’s long gone by now.

Article1 month ago

Throwback to the Little ‘Mushroom’

2 min read

Perseverance found my favourite rock on the mission so far: a flat piece with a mushroom-shaped rock feature sticking out of it!

Article1 month ago
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of the area in front of it using its onboard Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera A.

Bunsen Peak Piques Interest

2 min read

Perseverance has continued its traverse west through the Margin unit. As the rover drives, images and data are obtained using instruments such as Mastcam-Z, Navcam, and SuperCam to track any changes in the chemistry or appearance of the rocks.

Article2 months ago
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving.

Beehive Geyser Beckons

2 min read

Perseverance continues its uphill march through the tricky terrain of the margin unit, an area with enhanced signals of carbonate.

Article2 months ago

Farewell to Our Flying Friend and Closing in on the Crater Rim

2 min read

After 72 flights and 17 kilometers flown, it is finally time for us to say goodbye to the Ingenuity helicopter.

Article2 months ago
Mastcam-Z image showing bright, light-toned outcrops near the Jezero Crater Rim (upper center) approximately 4 km away, with darker toned boulders in foreground (center).

Bright Rocks on the Horizon: An Exciting Glimpse of Uncharted Territory

2 min read

Perseverance is deep within the ongoing Margin Unit campaign, where orbital signatures of carbonate minerals appear strongest.

Article3 months ago
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast.

New Year, New Images from Mars!

2 min read

The year is 2024 on Earth, and Year 37 on Mars, and the Perseverance rover is continuing its exploration of the carbonate-rich terrain of the Margin Unit in Jezero Crater.

Article3 months ago

An Ode to Perseverance and Ingenuity

2 min read

Perseverance and Ingenuity, bold and brave.

Article4 months ago
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of the area in front of it using its onboard Front Right Hazard Avoidance Camera A.

Was There Life on Mars?

3 min read

Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the Universe, and searching for life on Mars is a major goal of the Mars 2020 mission.

Article5 months ago