Perseverance means keeping at it, even when things get tough. The team behind the Mars 2020 rover has shown this spirit time and again. They launched the Perseverance rover during a global pandemic and faced challenges from California wildfires. Recently, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech teams have had to navigate through these difficulties, but their dedication shines through.
Things have been quiet on Mars. Perseverance is waiting for its team back on Earth to regroup, but that doesn’t mean it’s idle. The rover has been reflecting on its achievements since landing in Jezero crater. Over the years, it has found volcanic rocks, collected samples from ancient lake beds, and explored rocks that could show signs of past life.
This year, Perseverance is gearing up for exciting adventures. The rover will continue exploring the crater rim, seeking new geological wonders. It’s on its way to Witch Hazel Hill, a site that might hold some of Mars’ oldest rocks. By examining these layers, scientists hope to learn about Mars’ history and its ancient climate.
As it investigates the crater rim, Perseverance will add more rocks to its collection. Each rock tells a story—whether about water, volcanoes, or even microbial life. The rover is especially interested in rocks over 4 billion years old. Unlike Earth, where such ancient materials are often changed or destroyed, Mars still has them. Perseverance also wants samples from hydrothermal systems or melted rock from impacts. When it comes to rocks, the rover loves them all!
Perseverance is ready to tackle any challenges that come its way this year. It has the unwavering support of its international operations team. While the team focuses on recovery and rebuilding on Earth, Perseverance remains patient, eager to continue its journey across the Martian landscape.
Written by Margaret Deahn, Ph.D. student, and Stephanie Connell, Ph.D. candidate, at Purdue University.
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