A droid exploring a distant planet is not only the stuff of science fiction, it is today’s reality. NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars at 3:55 p.m. EST on Feb. 18, 2021 and promptly phoned home beaming back the first of what should be thousands of detained images and science data from the Red Planet.
When NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover launched it marked the continuation of exploration of one of Earth’s nearest celestial neighbors that began 56 years ago. During that time, a fleet of robotic spacecraft and rovers have landed on and orbited the Red Planet. Collectively, they have dramatically increased the knowledge base about Mars, helping pave the way for future human pioneers.
NASA’s Perseverance rover is part of the agency’s Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the Red Planet. Lift off is scheduled for 7:50 a.m. EDT, July 30, 2020 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Mars Perseverance mission goals include answering questions about the potential for life on the Red Planet.