The car-sized vehicle is equipped with a variety of scientific tools and cameras to help it search for evidence of ancient microbial life on a distant planet. It will also collect samples of Martian rock and soil to return to Earth in an ambitious Mars sample return mission. In addition, the current mission provides an opportunity to test robotic technology that could be further developed for the first crew to reach Mars.
Perseverance's X (formerly Twitter) account is buzzing with activity as regular first-person reports keep the rover's 3 million fans informed of its Mars-based activities.
In response to a follower's inquiry, Perseverance confirmed that it is currently at the top of the Lake Crater delta/fan formation. Crater Lake is a dried-up lake that scientists believe offers a good chance of preserving evidence of ancient life, if any.Look at this big chunky weirdo. 🪨 I love it.
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) July 25, 2023
I spotted this boulder from a distance and have come in for a closer look. It’s harder than most, with an odd shape and makeup. #SamplingMars could be a challenge here, but I’m up for it! pic.twitter.com/WpNDoGjS91
Persistence said the rocks in the photo "appear to have been brought from an ancient river" that once flowed into the lake.
"Rock geeks rejoice!" Rover said in another tweet. "Everything from large boulders to small stones are present in the ancient riverbed we are currently studying. These pieces can help my team uncover the river's past and its potential to support ancient life.
It's certainly an exciting time for the Perseverance team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, which is also tracking the achievements of the drone-like machine Ingenuity, which in 2021 became the first to successfully pilot the machine on another planetRock nerds rejoice! From big boulders to tiny pebbles, the ancient riverbed I’m exploring right now has it all. Washed in from upstream, these fragments can help my team uncover the river’s past and its potential for supporting ancient life. Read more: https://t.co/s0hgK7rOKp pic.twitter.com/FDnzZz4eF3
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) July 19, 2023
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