NASA confirms SAFE LANDING of Mars 2020 probe
The US space agency confirmed that its Perseverance rover has safely touched down on the surface of the Red Planet, where it is supposed to probe the soil for traces of past life over a full Martian year.
“I’m safe on Mars,” NASA tweeted from the account set up for the rover, just before 4 pm Eastern time on Thursday.
I’m safe on Mars. Perseverance will get you anywhere. #CountdownToMars
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 18, 2021
The probe survived the descent through the Martian atmosphere and used a newly developed autonomous guidance system to safely land in Jezero Crater, at the edge of Isidis Planitia.
The landing was the most difficult part of the mission, as the signal lag from Earth to Mars is 11 minutes, meaning there is no way for the probe to be piloted remotely.
Among its instruments are 19 cameras and two microphones that will allow audio recordings of Mars.
And another look behind me. Welcome to Jezero Crater. #CountdownToMarspic.twitter.com/dbU3dhm6VZ
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 18, 2021
The NASA probe left Earth in June 2020, to fully exploit the favorable launch window. Two other probes, the UAE’s Hope orbiter and China’s Tianwen-1, were also sent towards the red planet at the time.
NASA’s plan is to follow the ground deployment of Perseverance with Ingenuity, a drone helicopter that would make the first powered flight on another planet. Ingenuity is scheduled to deploy by March 19, and conduct a series of proof-of-concept flights while communicating with the rover.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!
