NASA’s Perseverance rover has completed the longest road trip of any robot vehicle on another planet, covering over 411 meters of Mars’ rocky surface in a single drive. The six-wheeled explorer surpassed its predecessors, Curiosity and Opportunity, thanks to its self-driving software that allows it to process and analyze images while moving.
Compared to its peers, Perseverance’s speed is unmatched, with the ability to drive longer distances in a day opening up new possibilities for scientific studies on Mars. The rover has traveled over 700 meters without human review, showcasing its capabilities.
Perseverance is on a mission to collect clay-bearing rocks on the Krokodillen plateau, which could hold clues about abundant water in the distant past. If samples are found to contain minerals known as phyllosilicates, it would be a significant discovery.
The rover has already made several notable finds, including an epic climb up a crater and the longest drive of any vehicle without human review on another planet. With its current total distance sitting at nearly 36 km, Perseverance is gaining ground on its predecessors and may soon take the lead in terms of overall kilometers driven.
NASA’s perseverance and determination are evident as the rover continues to explore Mars, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for robotic exploration.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-rover-breaks-record-for-longest-road-trip-on-another-planet