Mars 2020 Perseverance & Sample Return
Seeking signs of ancient microbial life and collecting sealed core samples for return to Earth.
Mission Architecture & Jezero Crater
Perseverance is a car-sized robotic astrobiologist exploring Jezero Crater, an ancient Martian lake and river delta system that dried up over 3.5 billion years ago. The rover is equipped with an advanced coring drill, robotic sample caching assembly, and an array of spectrometers analyzing mineralogy and organic compounds.
Scientific Objectives
Science Payload
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) & Raman spectroscopy at distance
Micro-focus X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for sub-millimeter elemental mapping
Deep UV Raman and fluorescence spectrometer for organic and mineral detection
Solid oxide electrolysis converting CO2 into breathable O2
Key Milestones
Successful touch-down using Terrain-Relative Navigation & Sky Crane descent system.
First sealed igneous and mudstone core samples collected in the 'South Séítah' and delta front.
Discovery of 'Cheyava Falls' rock with potential biosignature organic carbon and chemical reaction reduction spots.