Launch of NASAs Next Mars Rover Perseverance Approaches

NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission is over 30 days from launch (7/20/20). Perseverance will seek signs of ancient microbial life on Mars along with demonstrating key technologies to help prepare for future robotic and human exploration. And the rover will do all that while collecting the first samples of Martian rock and regolith (broken rock and dust) for later return to Earth. Perseverance, built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is targeted to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station July 20, but its window extends to August 11. It will land on Mars next February 18 (regardless of launch date). Credits: NASA