Perseverance launched back in July 2020 to make its way to Mars as part of NASA’s next big step in exploring the Martian terrain and searching for alien microbial life. It will be tasked with rock and soil, looking for samples that it can potentially send back to Earth.
The new rover will be assisted in its landing by an incredible jet-pack solution that will hopefully allow for a soft landing. It will also include the new Mars Helicopter drone on-board that will allow NASA to take to the sky on Mars for the first time.
The idea of sending samples back is actually quite fascinating. NASA plans to eventually be able to launch valid collected samples via small rockets from the ground into the Mars atmosphere where the sample, tucked inside a capsule, will be ejected and captured by a satellite that will then make its way back to Earth and launch it down to us. The entire concept feels like something out of a sci-fi movie.
To watch the event unfold today, check out the following live-stream. Where you will be able to witness the landing of the Perseverance live:
Update (12:56PM PST): Congratulations to NASA for the successful landing of the Perseverance Rover on Mars. Another fantastic feat performed by the human race!
You can still look back and watch the event via the video above. NASA’s team clearly clenching through the tense moment as it made its way to the ground and into a safe landing. The rover sending back images moments after landing, you can already see the landing site and the great condition of the unit.
