NASA has been preparing for a long time to launch the Perseverance rover to Mars as part of the Mars 2020 Mission. The date of the launch of the vehicle towards the Red Planet has already been postponed several times due to technical problems, however, NASA confirmed finally start on July 30, 2020.
Mars 2020 mission. What can we expect?
Some time ago We informed that as part of the Mars 2020 mission, it will fly into space only on a rover, but also a small helicopter. It will be the first vehicle to take to the air using lift on a planet other than Earth.
The rover itself, in turn, aims to find possible traces of microbial life on Mars, as well as to characterize the climate and geology of this planet. Interestingly, in March it was attached to the vehicle a plaque with three silicon chips with the names of nearly 11 million Earthlings.
Now we can also learn a little more about the mission itself. NASA has published just the trailer for the Mars 2020 mission.
The start of the mission, as we have already mentioned, was scheduled for July 30, 2020 at 1:50 PM Polish time. The Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity Mars experimental helicopter attached to it will be carried by the Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
The journey of both Martian instruments will take seven months, and will reach their destination on February 18, 2021. Then a seven-minute journey through Mars’ thin atmosphere towards its surface will begin, specifically the bottom of the Jezero Crater. This is an interesting place for scientists because in the past it was most likely filled with liquid water, which promotes the development of life.
NASA rover with the names of the Earthlings, which will be sent to Mars fot. NASA/JPL-Caltech
Soon after landing, the Ingenuity helicopter will be detached from the rover and will remain at the landing site in preparation for the first test flight. Meanwhile, Perseverance will deviate a bit and help scientists communicate with the drone, and later begin to explore the Red Planet.
Watch the video
The amazing discovery of the NASA lander. “Mars quake”
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NASA emphasizes that the Mars 2020 mission will allow not only to explore the surface of Jezero Crater and collect samples of Martian regolith that may be in the future, it will be taken back to Earth. By the way, he will also prove (if the attempt is successful) that flying in Martian air is possible. This knowledge will allow scientists to develop even better vehicles that in the future will be able to assist rovers by conducting observations from low heights.
Perseverance rover and Ingenuity Mars helicopter – artist’s vision fot. NASA/JPL-Caltech
Interestingly, in February around Mars it will get quite crowded. This month, two probes have already flew towards the Red Planet, which (like Mars 2020) will arrive at the site. This is a probe belonging to the United Arab Emirates that will enter Mars orbit and chinese spacecraft consisting of three vehicles – an orbiter, a lander and a rover.
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