
Mars Videos & Animations
-
What secrets could we unravel by studying Mars samples in state-of-the-art labs on Earth? Scientists around the globe are eager to find out.
Mars Rock Samples: The Stories They Could TellMars Rock Samples: The Stories They Could Tell
September 19, 2023
What secrets could we unravel by studying Mars samples in state-of-the-art labs on Earth? Scientists around the globe are eager to find out.
-
Meet one of the Martian samples that has been collected and is awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of early Aug...
Meet the Mars Samples: Melyn (Sample 19)Meet the Mars Samples: Melyn (Sample 19)
August 23, 2023
Meet one of the Martian samples that has been collected and is awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of early August 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples...
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late Ju...
Meet the Mars Samples: Atmo Mountain and Crosswind Lake (Samples 17 and 18)Meet the Mars Samples: Atmo Mountain and Crosswind Lake (Samples 17 and 18)
August 16, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples ...
-
As part of a NASA-ESA campaign to return rock and soil samples from Mars to Earth, engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are designing a la...
#MarsSampleReturn: How Do You Test the Legs of NASA's Heaviest Mars Spacecraft?#MarsSampleReturn: How Do You Test the Legs of NASA's Heaviest Mars Spacecraft?
August 10, 2023
As part of a NASA-ESA campaign to return rock and soil samples from Mars to Earth, engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are designing a lander which will be the heaviest spacecraft ever to touch down on the Red Planet. Engineers are dropp...
-
The first leg of Mars Sample Return is underway, as the Perseverance rover collects rock cores and other Mars samples at its landing site, Jezero C...
Testing Mars Sample Return: Testing the Landing Gear for All ScenariosTesting Mars Sample Return: Testing the Landing Gear for All Scenarios
August 10, 2023
The first leg of Mars Sample Return is underway, as the Perseverance rover collects rock cores and other Mars samples at its landing site, Jezero Crater. Meanwhile on Earth, mission teams are optimizing the designs of the follow-on spacecraft that...
-
The first leg of Mars Sample Return is underway, as Perseverance collects rock cores and other Mars samples at its landing site, Jezero Crater. Mea...
Testing Mars Sample Return: Finding the Right Footpad Size for the Sample Retrieval LanderTesting Mars Sample Return: Finding the Right Footpad Size for the Sample Retrieval Lander
August 10, 2023
The first leg of Mars Sample Return is underway, as Perseverance collects rock cores and other Mars samples at its landing site, Jezero Crater. Meanwhile on Earth, mission teams are optimizing the designs of the follow-on spacecraft that would ret...
-
Meet one of the Martian samples that has been collected and is awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late July...
Meet the Mars Samples: Kukaklek (Sample 16)Meet the Mars Samples: Kukaklek (Sample 16)
August 08, 2023
Meet one of the Martian samples that has been collected and is awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late July 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples in...
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late Ju...
Meet the Mars Samples: Shuyak and Mageik (Samples 14 and 15)Meet the Mars Samples: Shuyak and Mageik (Samples 14 and 15)
August 01, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples ...
-
NASA's Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) recently reached some major milestones in support of the Mars Sample Return program. This video shows recent tests...
NASA Mars Ascent Vehicle Continues Progress Toward Mars Sample ReturnNASA Mars Ascent Vehicle Continues Progress Toward Mars Sample Return
July 31, 2023
NASA's Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) recently reached some major milestones in support of the Mars Sample Return program. This video shows recent tests of the first and second stage solid rocket motors needed for the launch.
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late Ju...
Meet the Mars Samples: Swift Run and Skyland (Samples 10 and 11)Meet the Mars Samples: Swift Run and Skyland (Samples 10 and 11)
July 26, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples ...
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late Ju...
Meet the Mars Samples: Ha'ahóni and Atsá (Samples 8 and 9)Meet the Mars Samples: Ha'ahóni and Atsá (Samples 8 and 9)
July 19, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples ...
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late Ju...
Meet the Mars Samples: Robine and Malay (Samples 6 and 7)Meet the Mars Samples: Robine and Malay (Samples 6 and 7)
July 12, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples ...
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late Ju...
Meet the Mars Samples: Salette and Coulettes (Samples 4 and 5)Meet the Mars Samples: Salette and Coulettes (Samples 4 and 5)
June 30, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples ...
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late Ju...
Meet the Mars Samples: Montdenier and Montagnac (Samples 2 and 3)Meet the Mars Samples: Montdenier and Montagnac (Samples 2 and 3)
June 28, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of late June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 20 scientifically selected samples ...
-
Meet a Martian sample that has been collected and is awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of June 2023, NASA's M...
Meet the Mars Samples: Roubion (Sample 1)Meet the Mars Samples: Roubion (Sample 1)
June 21, 2023
Meet a Martian sample that has been collected and is awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 19 scientifically selected samples inside pristine t...
-
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of June 20...
Meet the Mars Samples: Hazeltop and Bearwallow (Samples 12 and 13)Meet the Mars Samples: Hazeltop and Bearwallow (Samples 12 and 13)
June 15, 2023
Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of June 2023, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 19 scientifically selected samples insid...
-
Celebrate the completion of the first sample depot - also known as a collection of rock and soil samples - on Mars with NASA's Perseverance rover t...
Perseverance’s Backup Rock Sample Tubes Placed on Mars SurfacePerseverance’s Backup Rock Sample Tubes Placed on Mars Surface
May 04, 2023
Celebrate the completion of the first sample depot - also known as a collection of rock and soil samples - on Mars with NASA's Perseverance rover team. The diverse set of scientifically curated samples could help scientists answer the question of ...
-
A model Sample Recovery Helicopter drives and positions itself over a sample tube during a test in the Mars Yard at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laborator...
Sample Recovery Helicopter Model Gets a TestSample Recovery Helicopter Model Gets a Test
December 12, 2022
A model Sample Recovery Helicopter drives and positions itself over a sample tube during a test in the Mars Yard at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
-
NASA and the European Space Agency are developing plans for one of the most ambitious campaigns ever attempted in space: bringing the first samples...
Bringing Mars Rock Samples Back to EarthBringing Mars Rock Samples Back to Earth
November 17, 2022
NASA and the European Space Agency are developing plans for one of the most ambitious campaigns ever attempted in space: bringing the first samples of Mars material safely back to Earth for detailed study. The diverse set of scientifically curated...
-
NASA's Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory is equipped with four 2-stage light gas guns; two 0.17-caliber (0.177-inch bore diameter), a 0.50-calib...
NASA's Mars Mission Shields Up for TestsNASA's Mars Mission Shields Up for Tests
October 12, 2022
NASA's Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory is equipped with four 2-stage light gas guns; two 0.17-caliber (0.177-inch bore diameter), a 0.50-caliber (0.50" bore diameter), and a 1-Inch (1.00" bore diameter) gun at the facility. The 1-Inch range i...
-
Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, explains the planned joint NASA/ESA effort to bring to Ea...
Key NASA Scientist Previews Mars Sample Return CampaignKey NASA Scientist Previews Mars Sample Return Campaign
May 04, 2022
Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, explains the planned joint NASA/ESA effort to bring to Earth samples being collected on Mars by NASA's Perseverance rover.
-
Engineers successfully completed a series of Mars Sample Return (MSR) Earth Entry System (EES) drop tests at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR...
Dropped in the Name of Science, Mars Sample Return Design Holds UpDropped in the Name of Science, Mars Sample Return Design Holds Up
April 29, 2022
Engineers successfully completed a series of Mars Sample Return (MSR) Earth Entry System (EES) drop tests at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR). A Manufacturing Demonstration Unit (MDU) of one potential design for the EES aeroshell was outfit...
-
Teams across multiple NASA centers and the European Space Agency are working together to prepare a set of missions that would return the samples be...
Testing Mars Sample ReturnTesting Mars Sample Return
December 13, 2021
Teams across multiple NASA centers and the European Space Agency are working together to prepare a set of missions that would return the samples being collected by the Mars Perseverance rover safely back to Earth.
-
Tune in to learn about NASA's search for life on Mars. Mission experts will discuss how the Mars 2020 rover will take samples on the surface of Mar...
Searching for Life on Mars - NASA Press ConferenceSearching for Life on Mars - NASA Press Conference
February 17, 2021
Tune in to learn about NASA's search for life on Mars. Mission experts will discuss how the Mars 2020 rover will take samples on the surface of Mars for a future mission, Mars Sample Return, to return to Earth.
-
When our Perseverance Mars rover launches on July 30, it's set to be the first leg of a series of sample return missions in the search for evidence...
How the Perseverance Mars Rover Will Help NASA Return Mars Samples to EarthHow the Perseverance Mars Rover Will Help NASA Return Mars Samples to Earth
July 28, 2020
When our Perseverance Mars rover launches on July 30, it's set to be the first leg of a series of sample return missions in the search for evidence of life beyond Earth.
-
Collecting samples from Mars and bringing them back to Earth will be a historic undertaking that starts with the launch of NASA's Perseverance rove...
Mars Sample Return Media ReelMars Sample Return Media Reel
April 12, 2020
Collecting samples from Mars and bringing them back to Earth will be a historic undertaking that starts with the launch of NASA's Perseverance rover, part of the Mars 2020 mission.
-
Collecting samples from Mars and bringing them back to Earth is a historic undertaking that starts with the launch of NASA's Mars 2020 rover.
NASA Advances Plans to Bring Samples Back From MarsNASA Advances Plans to Bring Samples Back From Mars
February 10, 2020
Collecting samples from Mars and bringing them back to Earth is a historic undertaking that starts with the launch of NASA's Mars 2020 rover.
-
When NASA's Mars 2020 rover lands on the Red Planet on Feb. 18, 2021, it will seek signs of past microbial life and characterize the planet's clima...
NASA Mars 2020 Rover Sample Collection AnimationNASA Mars 2020 Rover Sample Collection Animation
February 06, 2020
When NASA's Mars 2020 rover lands on the Red Planet on Feb. 18, 2021, it will seek signs of past microbial life and characterize the planet's climate and geology.
-
An animated flyover of the Martian surface explains why Mars' Jezero Crater, a 28-mile-wide ancient lake-delta system, is the best place for Mars 2...
Mars 2020 Target: Jezero Crater FlyoverMars 2020 Target: Jezero Crater Flyover
December 13, 2018
An animated flyover of the Martian surface explains why Mars' Jezero Crater, a 28-mile-wide ancient lake-delta system, is the best place for Mars 2020 to find and collect promising samples for a possible future return to Earth.
-
NASA and the European Space Agency are now working together to explore options for a pair of missions that could take the next steps to bring sampl...
Bringing Mars Back To EarthBringing Mars Back To Earth
April 26, 2018
NASA and the European Space Agency are now working together to explore options for a pair of missions that could take the next steps to bring samples back from Mars.