NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has reached the top of Jezero Crater’s rim and is now on its way to a significant scientific stop. After months of climbing, the rover has successfully navigated 20% grades and taken several science observations along the way.
The rover’s ascent took about 3½ months and covered a vertical distance of 1,640 feet. The science team shared their work and future plans at a media briefing last week in Washington. They highlighted the rover’s innovative approaches to overcome challenging terrain, including trying to drive backward to gain traction.
Perseverance is now on its fifth campaign, known as “Northern Rim,” which will cover new geology. The rover aims to visit four sites of interest, take several samples, and drive 4 miles during this campaign.
The first stop is a rocky outcrop called “Witch Hazel Hill,” where the science team hopes to uncover ancient environments and layering patterns in the crater rim. The rover’s journey will continue with visits to other sites, including Lac de Charmes and megabreccia blocks, which may represent ancient bedrock broken up during a planet-altering event.
The Perseverance mission is crucial for astrobiology research, including caching samples that may contain signs of ancient microbial life. The rover’s findings will help pave the way for human exploration of Mars and contribute to NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/mars-2020-perseverance/perseverance-rover/nasas-perseverance-rover-reaches-top-of-jezero-crater-rim