Difference between revisions of "Mars 2020"

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(More information, to bring page up to date. Added Major Mission Milestones completed and Easter eggs on the mission.)
 
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[[Image:PIA21635-Mars2020Rover-ArtistConcept-20170523.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Mars 2020 Rover - Artist's Rendering]]
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{{wikipedia}}
  
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'''Mars 2020''' is a [[Mars rover]] mission by [[NASA]]'s [[Mars Exploration Program]] with a planned launch in 2020.<ref name="NASA-Mars2020">{{cite web |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/overview/ |title=Mission: Overview |publisher=NASA |accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>  It is intended to investigate an [[astrobiology|astrobiologically]] relevant ancient environment on Mars, investigate its surface [[Geology of Mars|geological processes]] and history, including the assessment of its past [[Planetary habitability|habitability]], the possibility of past [[life on Mars]], and potential for preservation of [[biosignature]]s within accessible geological materials.<ref name="AP-20130709">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Alicia |title=Panel: Next Mars rover should gather rocks, soil |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130709/DA7EA0K83.html |date=9 July 2013 |work=[[AP News]] |accessdate=12 July 2013}}</ref><ref name='Cowing'>{{cite web |last=Cowing |first=Keith |title=Science Definition Team for the 2020 Mars Rover |url=http://spaceref.com/mars/science-definition-team-for-the-2020-mars-rover.html |date=21 December 2012 |work=[[NASA]] |publisher=SpaceRef |accessdate=21 December 2012}}</ref>
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[[File:PIA21635-Mars2020Rover-ArtistConcept-20170523.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Mars 2020 Rover - Artist's Rendering]]
  
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The as-yet unnamed ''Mars 2020'' was announced by NASA on 4 December 2012 at the fall meeting of the [[American Geophysical Union]] in San Francisco.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> The rover's design will be derived from the [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'' rover]], but will carry a different scientific payload.<ref name="BBC-20131204">{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Nasa to send new rover to Mars in 2020 |date=4 December 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20603689 |work=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=5 December 2012}}</ref> Nearly 60 proposals<ref name="NASA-20140121">{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Guy |last2=Brown |first2=Dwayne |title=NASA Receives Mars 2020 Rover Instrument Proposals for Evaluation |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-017 |date=21 January 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=21 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Timmer |first=John |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2014/07/nasa-announces-the-instruments-for-the-next-mars-rover/ |title=NASA announces the instruments for the next Mars rover |work=ARS Technica |date=31 July 2014 |accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref> for rover instrumentation were evaluated and, on 31 July 2014, NASA announced the payload for the rover.<ref name="NASA-20140731a">{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Dwayne |title=RELEASE 14-208 – NASA Announces Mars 2020 Rover Payload to Explore the Red Planet as Never Before |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/july/nasa-announces-mars-2020-rover-payload-to-explore-the-red-planet-as-never-before/ |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="NASA-20140731b">{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Dwayne |title=NASA Announces Mars 2020 Rover Payload to Explore the Red Planet as Never Before |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1678 |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref>
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'''Mars 2020''' is a [[Mars rover]] mission by [[NASA]]'s [[Mars Exploration Program]] which was launched on 2020, July 30th, and landed successfully on 2021, February 18th.  
  
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== Mission ==
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The ''Mars 2020'' rover was named Perseverance was announced by NASA on 4 December 2012 at the fall meeting of the [[w:American Geophysical Union|American Geophysical Union]] in San Francisco. The rover's design will be derived from the [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'' rover]], but will carry a different scientific payload. Nearly 60 proposals for rover instrumentation were evaluated and, on 31 July 2014, NASA announced the payload for the rover.
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It includes a small coaxial helicopter [[Ingenuity]], which successfully completed it mission in May 2021.
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==Mission==
 
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
 
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
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|+ Launch windows 2018–2020<ref name=report>{{cite paper |url=http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/3715_Mars_Expl_Strat_GPO.pdf |title=Robotic Mars Exploration Strategy, 2007–2016 |series=Mars Advanced Planning Group 2006 |publisher=NASA |first=Daniel J. |last=McCleese |page=27 |date=March 2006 |id=JPL 400–1276}}</ref>
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|+Launch windows 2018–2020
 
!Year
 
!Year
 
!Launch
 
!Launch
 
!C3-Launch energy
 
!C3-Launch energy
 
|-
 
|-
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|2018 || Apr 2018 – May 2018 || 7.7–11.1 km<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup>
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|2018||Apr 2018 – May 2018||7.7–11.1 km<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
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|2020 || Jul 2020 – Sep 2020 || 13.2 - 18.4 km<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup>
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|2020||Jul 2020 – Sep 2020||13.2 - 18.4 km<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup>
 
|}
 
|}
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The rover is planned to be launched in 2020.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> The [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] will manage the mission. The payload and science instruments for the mission were selected in July 2014 after an open competition for payloads<ref name="NASA-20140731a" /> based on scientific objectives set one year earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Objectives – 2020 Mission Plans |url=http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/science/objectives/ |website=mars.nasa.gov |accessdate=4 December 2015}}</ref> However, the mission is contingent on receiving adequate funding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update on NASA Mars Rover Plans |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/van-kane/20150805-update-on-nasa-mars-rover-plans.html |website=www.planetary.org |accessdate=4 December 2015}}</ref> Precise mission details will be determined by the mission's Science Definition Team.<ref name="Space Wall first" />
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The rover is planned to be launched in 2020. based on scientific objectives set one year earlier. Precise mission details will be determined by the mission's Science Definition Team.
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In May 2017, evidence of the [[w:Earliest known life forms|earliest known life]] [[w:Evolutionary history of life#Colonization of land|on land]] may have been found in 3.48-billion-year-old [[w:geyserite|geyserite]], a mineral deposit often found around [[w:hot spring|hot spring]]s and [[w:geyser|geyser]]s, uncovered in the [[w:Pilbara Craton|Pilbara Craton]] of [[w:Western Australia|Western Australia]].
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===Proposed objectives===
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The mission is part of NASA's [[Mars Exploration Program]], and it is planned to explore [[Jezero Crater]] for a Martian year (1 sol = 687 Earth days).
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On 9 July 2013, the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team reiterated that the rover should look for signs of [[Life on Mars|past life]], collect samples for possible future return to Earth, and demonstrate technology for future human exploration of Mars. The Science Definition Team proposed the rover collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and soil for a later mission to bring back for more definitive analysis in laboratories on Earth, but in 2015 the concept was changed to collect even more samples and distribute the tubes in small piles across the surface of Mars. However, returning the samples to Earth would likely require two additional missions: one rover to land on Mars, take the samples collected by Mars 2020, and launch them into Mars orbit; and another to collect the sample canister in Mars orbit and return it to Earth. Neither of those missions is under development by NASA,
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In September 2013 NASA launched an Announcement of Opportunity for researchers to propose and develop the instruments needed, including a core sample cache.
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The rover can make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a [[Manned mission|human expedition]] understand any hazards posed by Martian dust, and will test technology to produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>).
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==Design==
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As proposed, the rover will be based on the design of [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'']]. While there will be differences in scientific instruments and the engineering required to support them, the entire landing system (including the [[Mars Science Laboratory#Sky crane landing|sky crane]] and heat shield) and rover chassis can essentially be recreated without any additional engineering or research. This reduces overall technical risk for the mission, while saving funds and time on development.
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A [[w:Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator|Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator]], left over as a backup part for ''Curiosity'' during its construction, will power the rover.
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The rover mission and launch is estimated to cost about US$2.1 billion.
  
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In May 2017, evidence of the [[Earliest known life forms|earliest known life]] [[Evolutionary history of life#Colonization of land|on land]] may have been found in 3.48-billion-year-old [[geyserite]], a mineral deposit often found around [[hot spring]]s and [[geyser]]s, uncovered in the [[Pilbara Craton]] of [[Western Australia]].<ref name="PO-20170509">{{cite news |author=Staff |title=Oldest evidence of life on land found in 3.48-billion-year-old Australian rocks |url=https://phys.org/news/2017-05-oldest-evidence-life-billion-year-old-australian.html |date=9 May 2017 |work=[[Phys.org]] |accessdate=13 May 2017 }}</ref><ref name="NC-20170509">{{cite journal |last1=Djokic |first1=Tara |last2=Van Kranendonk |first2=Martin J. |last3=Campbell |first3=Kathleen A. |last4=Walter |first4=Malcolm R. |last5=Ward |first5=Colin R. |title=Earliest signs of life on land preserved in ca. 3.5 Ga hot spring deposits |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15263 |date=9 May 2017 |journal=[[Nature Communications]] |doi=10.1038/ncomms15263 |accessdate=13 May 2017 }}</ref> These findings may be helpful in deciding where best to search for early signs of [[Life on Mars|life on the planet Mars]].<ref name="PO-20170509" /><ref name="NC-20170509" />
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In October 2016, NASA reported using the [[w:Xombie (rocket)|Xombie rocket]] to test the Lander Vision System (LVS), as part of the Autonomous Descent and Ascent Powered-flight Testbed (ADAPT) experimental technologies, for the Mars 2020 mission landing.
  
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=== Proposed objectives ===
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==Proposed scientific instruments==
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The mission is part of NASA's [[Mars Exploration Program]],<ref>[http://mars.nasa.gov/programmissions/missions/future/mars2020/ Program And Missions – 2020 Mission Plans]. NASA, 2015.</ref> and its [[Mars Program Planning Group]] (MPPG), as well as the associate administrator of science [[John Grunsfeld]], endorsed a [[Mars sample return mission|sample retrieval and return mission to Earth]] for scientific analysis.<ref name="Wired Mann first">{{cite news |title=NASA Announces New Twin Rover for Curiosity Launching to Mars in 2020 |url=https://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/12/curiosity-rover-twin/ |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=Wired |date=4 December 2012 |first=Adam |last=Mann}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mars Planning Group Endorses Sample Return |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/mars-planning-group-endorses-sample-return |date=3 October 2012 |work=[[SpaceNews (publication)|SpaceNews]]}} {{subscription required}}</ref><ref name=MPPG>[http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/691580main_MPPG-Integrated-v13i-Summary%20Report-9-25-12.pdf Summary of the MPPG Final Report]</ref> Regardless, a mission requirement is that it must help prepare NASA for its long-term sample return or [[manned mission to Mars|manned mission]] efforts.<ref name='Cowing'/><ref name=MPPG/><ref>{{cite news |last=Moskowitz |first=Clara |title=Scientists Offer Wary Support for NASA's New Mars Rover |date=5 February 2013 |url=http://www.space.com/19606-mars-rover-2020-planetary-science.html |work=Space.com |accessdate=5 February 2013}}</ref>
 
  
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On 9 July 2013, the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team reiterated that the rover should look for signs of [[Life on Mars|past life]], collect samples for possible future return to Earth, and demonstrate technology for future human exploration of Mars. The Science Definition Team proposed the rover collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and soil for a later mission to bring back for more definitive analysis in laboratories on Earth, but in 2015 the concept was changed to collect even more samples and distribute the tubes in small piles across the surface of Mars. However, returning the samples to Earth would likely require two additional missions: one rover to land on Mars, take the samples collected by Mars 2020, and launch them into Mars orbit; and another to collect the sample canister in Mars orbit and return it to Earth. Neither of those missions is under development by NASA,<ref name='cost'/><ref name="Rosenthal 2015">{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Jake |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2015/1012-mars-2020-adaptive-caching-assembly.html |title=Mars 2020 and the Adaptive Caching Assembly: An Intern’s Perspective |work=The Planetary Society |date=12 October 2015 |accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref> but it has been suggested that the proposed [[Mars 2022 orbiter]] may play a role in such future mission.<ref name='cost'/><ref name="Denver Museum">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmns.org/museum-blog/Post/?nid=23546 |title=NASA Eyes Sample-Return Capability for Post-2020 Mars Orbiter |last=Evans |first=Kim |work=Denver Museum of Nature and Science |date=13 October 2015 |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref>
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*[[w:Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry|Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)]], an [[w:X-ray fluorescence|x-ray fluorescence spectrometer]] to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials.
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*Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment (RIMFAX), a [[w:ground-penetrating radar|ground-penetrating radar]] to image dozens of meters beneath the rover.
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*Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer (MEDA), a set of sensors that will provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. It would be provided by Spain's ''Centro de Astrobiología''.
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*The [[w:Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment|Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment]] (MOXIE) is an exploration technology investigation that will produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). This technology could be scaled up in the future for human life support or make rocket fuel for return missions.
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*SuperCam, an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical composition analysis and mineralogy in rocks and regolith from a distance. It is similar to the ChemCam on the ''Curiosity'' rover but with four scientific instruments that will allow it to look for biosignatures.
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*[[w:Mastcam-Z|Mastcam-Z]], a stereoscopic imaging system with the ability to zoom.
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*[[w:Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals|Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC)]], an ultraviolet [[w:Raman spectroscopy|Raman spectrometer]] that uses fine-scale imaging and an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect [[w:organic compound|organic compound]]s.
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*Mars Helicopter Scout (MHS) is a solar powered helicopter drone with a mass of 1kg that  could help pinpoint interesting targets for study and plan the best driving route. It has [[w:coaxial rotors|coaxial rotors]], a high resolution downward looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain, and a communication system to relay data to the rover.
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*Microphones will be used during the landing event, while driving, and when collecting samples.
  
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In September 2013 NASA launched an Announcement of Opportunity for researchers to propose and develop the instruments needed, including a core sample cache.<ref name="A of opportunity">{{cite web |url=http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=387051/solicitationId=%7BC49E4810-6DE9-9509-E896-EBC006101A9E%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/Mars%202020%20AO%20amend3.pdf |format=PDF |title=Announcement of Opportunity: Mars 2020 Investigations |publisher=NASA |date=24 September 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/instruments/ |title=Mars 2020 Mission: Instruments |work=NASA |date=2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> The science conducted by the rover's instruments would provide the context needed to make informed decisions about whether to return the samples to Earth.<ref name='goals'>{{cite news |title=Science Team Outlines Goals for NASA's 2020 Mars Rover |date=9 July 2013 |publisher=NASA |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-217 |work=Jet Propulsion Laboratory |accessdate=10 July 2013}}</ref> The chairman of the Science Definition Team stated that NASA does not presume that life ever existed on Mars, but given the recent ''[[Curiosity rover]]'' findings, past Martian life seems possible.<ref name='goals'/>
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==Proposed landing sites==
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The following locations are the eight landing sites that were under consideration for Mars 2020 previous to the meeting in Pasedena, California Feb 2017.
  
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The rover can make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a [[Human mission to Mars|human expedition]] understand any hazards posed by Martian dust, and will test technology to produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>).<ref name="Tap O2 2013">{{cite news |first=Irene |last=Klotz |title=Mars 2020 Rover To Include Test Device To Tap Planet’s Atmosphere for Oxygen |date=21 November 2013 |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/38288mars-2020-rover-to-include-test-device-to-tap-planet%E2%80%99s-atmosphere-for |work=Space News |accessdate=22 November 2013}}</ref> Improved precision landing technology that enhances the scientific value of robotic missions also will be critical for eventual human exploration on the surface.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bergin |first=Chris |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/09/curiosity-edl-provide-2020-rover-super-landing-skills/ |title=Curiosity EDL data to provide 2020 Mars Rover with super landing skills |work=NASA Space Flight |date=2 September 2014 |accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> Based on input from the Science Definition Team, NASA defined the  final objectives for the 2020 rover. Those become the basis for soliciting proposals to provide instruments for the rover's science payload in the spring 2014.<ref name='Tap O2 2013'/>
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*[[w:Columbia Hills (Mars)|Columbia Hills]], in [[w:Gusev (Martian crater)|Gusev Crater]]
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*[[w:Eberswalde (crater)|Eberswalde Crater]]
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*[[w:Holden (Martian crater)|Holden Crater]]
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*[[w:Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]]
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*[[w:Mawrth Vallis|Mawrth Vallis]]
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*Northeastern region of [[w:Syrtis Major Planum|Syrtis Major Planum]]
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*[[w:Nili Fossae|Nili Fossae]]
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*Southwestern region of [[w:Melas Chasma|Melas Chasma]]
  
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== Design ==
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A workshop was held on 8–10 February 2017 in Pasadena, California, to discuss these sites, with the goal of narrowing down the list to 3-4 final sites for further consideration.
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As proposed, the rover will be based on the design of [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'']].<ref name="CNET Harwood first">{{cite news |title=NASA announces plans for new $1.5 billion Mars rover |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57557184-76/nasa-announces-plans-for-new-$1.5-billion-mars-rover/ |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=CNET |date=4 December 2012 |first=William |last=Harwood |quote=Using spare parts and mission plans developed for NASA's Curiosity Mars rover, the space agency says it can build and launch the  rover in 2020 and stay within current budget guidelines.}}</ref> While there will be differences in scientific instruments and the engineering required to support them, the entire landing system (including the [[Mars Science Laboratory#Sky crane landing|sky crane]] and heat shield) and rover chassis can essentially be recreated without any additional engineering or research. This reduces overall technical risk for the mission, while saving funds and time on development.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dreier |first=Casey |title=New Details on the 2020 Mars Rover |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/casey-dreier/2013/20130110-additional-mars-2020-rover-info.html |date=10 January 2013 |publisher=[[The Planetary Society]] |accessdate=15 March 2013}}</ref>  One of the upgrades is a guidance and control technique called "Terrain Relative Navigation" to fine-tune steering in the final moments of landing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/timeline/entry-descent-landing/ |title=Mars 2020 Rover: Entry, Descent, and Landing System |work=NASA |date=July 2016 |accessdate=17 July 2016}}</ref> The rover will have thicker, more durable wheels, with reduced width and a greater diameter than ''Curiosity''{{'s}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gebhardt |first1=Chris |title=Mars 2020 rover receives upgraded eyesight for tricky skycrane landing |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/mars-2020-rover-eyesight-skycrane-landing/ |website=Nasaspaceflight |accessdate=11 October 2016}}</ref>
 
  
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A [[Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator]], left over as a backup part for ''Curiosity'' during its construction, will power the rover.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /><ref name="NBC Boyle first">{{cite news |title=NASA plans 2020 Mars rover remake |url=http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/04/15678579-nasa-plans-2020-mars-rover-remake |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=Cosmic Log |date=4 December 2012 |first=Alan |last=Boyle |agency=NBC News}}</ref>
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*[[w:Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]]
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*Northeastern region of [[w:Syrtis Major Planum]]
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*[[w:Columbia Hills (Mars)|Columbia Hills]], in [[w:Gusev (Martian crater)|Gusev Crater]], where the [[Spirit rover|''Spirit'' rover]] landed.
  
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The rover mission and launch is estimated to cost about US$2.1 billion.<ref name='cost'>[http://spacenews.com/mars-2020-rover-mission-to-cost-more-than-2-billion/ Mars 2020 rover mission to cost more than $2 billion]. Jeff Foust ''Space News'', 20 July 2016.</ref> The mission's predecessor, the [[Mars Science Laboratory]], cost US$2.5 billion in total.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> The availability of spare parts will make the new rover somewhat more affordable. ''[[Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity's]]'' engineering team are also involved in the rover's design.<ref name="CNET Harwood first"/><ref name="Space Wall first">{{cite news |title=NASA to Launch New Mars Rover in 2020 |url=http://www.space.com/18763-nasa-new-mars-rover-2020.html |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=Space.com |date=4 December 2012 |first=Mike |last=Wall}}</ref>
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The Jezero Crater was eventually selected.
  
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In October 2016, NASA reported using the [[Xombie (rocket)|Xombie rocket]] to test the Lander Vision System (LVS), as part of the Autonomous Descent and Ascent Powered-flight Testbed (ADAPT) experimental technologies, for the Mars 2020 mission landing.<ref name="NASA-20161004">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Leslie |last2=Webster |first2=Guy |last3=Anderson |first3=Gina |title=NASA Flight Program Tests Mars Lander Vision System |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=6635 |date=4 October 2016 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=5 October 2016}}</ref>
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==Reactions==
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In reaction to the announcement, California U.S. Representative [[w:Adam Schiff|Adam Schiff]] came out in support of the Mars rover mission plans, saying that "an upgraded rover with additional instrumentation and capabilities is a logical next step that builds upon now proven landing and surface operations systems."
  
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== Proposed scientific instruments ==
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NASA's science chief John Grunsfeld responded that while it could be possible to launch in 2018, "it would be a push." Grunsfeld said a 2018 launch would require certain science investigations be excluded from the rover and that even the 2020 launch target would be "ambitious."
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* [[Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry|Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)]], an [[X-ray fluorescence|x-ray fluorescence spectrometer]] to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials.<ref name="NASA-20140731PIXL">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title=Mars 2020 Rover's PIXL to Focus X-Rays on Tiny Targets |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-253 |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davidraythompson.com/publications/Thompson_2014_iSAIRAS_PIXL.pdf |title=Adaptive sampling for rover x-ray lithochemistry}}</ref>
 
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* Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment (RIMFAX), a [[ground-penetrating radar]] to image dozens of meters beneath the rover.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/instruments/rimfax/ |title=RIMFAX, The Radar Imager for Mars' Subsurface Experiment |work=NASA |date=July 2016 |accessdate=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="RIMFAX1">{{cite news |last=Chung |first=Emily |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/mars-2020-rover-s-rimfax-radar-will-see-deep-underground-1.2739698 |title=Mars 2020 rover's RIMFAX radar will 'see' deep underground |work=Canadian Broadcasting Corp. |date=19 August 2014 |accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.news.utoronto.ca/u-t-scientist-play-key-role-mars-2020-rover-mission U of T scientist to play key role on Mars 2020 Rover Mission]</ref>
 
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* Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer (MEDA), a set of sensors that will provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. It would be provided by Spain's ''Centro de Astrobiología''.<ref>[https://gcd.larc.nasa.gov/projects/in-situ-resource-utilization/#.VRS3rGd0wUo In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)]. GCD-NASA.</ref>
 
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* The [[Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment]] (MOXIE) is an exploration technology investigation that will produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>).<ref name="AP-20140731">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |title=NASA to test making rocket fuel ingredient on Mars |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140731/us-sci-mars-mission-bd362b9528.html |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[AP News]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref> This technology could be scaled up in the future for human life support or make rocket fuel for return missions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Webb |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28582903 |title=Mars 2020 rover will pave the way for future manned missions |work=BBC News |date=1 August 2014 |accessdate=1 August 2014}}</ref>
 
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* SuperCam, an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical composition analysis and mineralogy in rocks and regolith from a distance. It is similar to the ChemCam on the ''Curiosity'' rover but with four scientific instruments that will allow it to look for biosignatures.<ref>[http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=46106 NASA Administrator Signs Agreements to Advance Agency's Journey to Mars]. 16 June 2015.</ref>
 
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* [[Mastcam-Z]], a stereoscopic imaging system with the ability to zoom.
 
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* [[Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals|Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC)]], an ultraviolet [[Raman spectroscopy|Raman spectrometer]] that uses fine-scale imaging and an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect [[organic compound]]s.<ref name="NASA-20140731SHER">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title=SHERLOC to Micro-Map Mars Minerals and Carbon Rings |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-254 |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/georaman2014/pdf/5101.pdf |title=SHERLOC: Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals, an Investigation for 2020}}</ref>
 
−
*Mars Helicopter Scout (MHS) is a solar powered helicopter drone with a mass of {{convert|1|kg|lb|abbr=on}} that could help pinpoint interesting targets for study and plan the best driving route.<ref name="drone1">{{cite news |url=http://www.business2community.com/space-science/nasa-is-developing-a-helicopter-drone-for-2020-mars-mission-01138799 |title=NASA Is Developing A Helicopter Drone For 2020 Mars Mission |work=Business 2 Community |date=27 January 2015 |accessdate=28 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Leone heli">{{cite news |last=Leone |first=Dan |url=http://spacenews.com/elachi-touts-helicopter-scout-for-mars-sample-caching-rover/ |title=Elachi Touts Helicopter Scout for Mars Sample-Caching Rover |work=Space News |date=19 November 2015 |accessdate=20 November 2015}}</ref> The helicopter would fly no more than 3 minutes per day and cover a distance of about {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}} daily.<ref name="Helicopter">{{cite web |url=http://marsmobile.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/videos/movies/mars20150122/mars20150122.pdf |format=PDF |title=Crazy Engineering Mars Helicopter Transcript |work=JPL – NASA |date=22 January 2015 |accessdate=1 September 2015}}</ref> It has [[coaxial rotors]], a high resolution downward looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain, and a communication system to relay data to the rover.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www-robotics.jpl.nasa.gov/publications/Richard_Volpe/isairas%202014%20paper,%20volpe,%20v8.pdf |format=PDF |title=2014 Robotics Activities at JPL |last=Volpe |first=Richard |work=Jet Propulsion Laboratory |accessdate=1 September 2015}}</ref>  $15 million is being requested to keep development of the helicopter on track.<ref>{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/05/four-wild-technologies-lawmakers-want-nasa-to-pursue/ |title=Four wild technologies lawmakers want NASA to pursue |work=ARS Technica |date=24 May 2016 |accessdate=24 May 2016}}</ref>
 
−
*Microphones will be used during the landing event, while driving, and when collecting samples.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strickland |first=Ashley |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/15/health/mars-2020-rover-announcement/ |title=New Mars 2020 rover will be able to 'hear' the Red Planet |work=CNN News |date=15 July 2016 |accessdate=16 July 2016}}</ref>
 
  
−
{{Gallery |align=center
+
Space educator [[w:Bill Nye|Bill Nye]] added his support for the planned mission saying, “We don't want to stop what we're doing on Mars because we're closer than ever to answering these questions: Was there life on Mars and stranger still, is there life there now in some extraordinary place that we haven't yet looked at? Mars was once very wet—it had oceans and lakes. Did life start on Mars and get flung into space and we are all descendants of Martian microbes? It's not crazy, and it's worth finding out. It's worth the cost of a cup of coffee per taxpayer every 10 years or 13 years to find out.”  Nye also endorsed a Mars sample-return role, saying “The amount of information you can get from a sample returned from Mars is believed to be extraordinarily fantastic and world-changing and worthy."
−
| title  = Proposed Mars 2020 rover instruments
 
−
| lines  = 3
 
−
| width  = 175
 
−
| height = 175
 
−
|File:MOXIE O2 generator.jpg|[[Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment|MOXIE]]
 
−
|File:Mars2020Rover-PIXL-Head-20140731.jpg|[[Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry|PIXL]]<ref name="NASA-20140731PIXL" />
 
−
|File:Mars2020Rover-SHERLOC-20140731.jpg|[[Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals|SHERLOC]]<ref name="NASA-20140731SHER" />
 
−
|File:MarsRoverHelicopter-20150122.png|Proposed solar powered drone as navigation aid
 
−
|File:PIA19150-Mars2020Mission-SampleReturn-AdaptiveCaching-20150610.jpg|Proposed adaptive caching for sample return
 
−
}}
 
  
−
== Proposed landing sites ==
+
The selection has been criticized for NASA's constant attention to Mars, and neglecting other Solar System destinations in constrained budget times. Contrary to usual NASA practices, the mission was approved for flight before a Science Definition Team (SDT) had been formed to decide on the mission's purpose and goals.
−
The following locations are the eight landing sites that were under consideration for Mars 2020<ref name="landing sites">{{cite web |url=http://phys.org/news/2015-09-discusses-mars.html |title=Researcher discusses where to land Mars 2020 |work=Phys.org |first=Ken |last=Farley |date=8 September 2015 |accessdate=9 September 2015}}</ref> previous to the meeting in Pasedena, California Feb 2017.
 
  
−
*[[Columbia Hills (Mars)|Columbia Hills]], in [[Gusev (Martian crater)|Gusev Crater]]
 
−
*[[Eberswalde (crater)|Eberswalde Crater]]
 
−
*[[Holden (Martian crater)|Holden Crater]]
 
−
*[[Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Hand |first=Eric |url=http://news.sciencemag.org/space/2015/08/mars-scientists-tap-ancient-river-deltas-and-hot-springs-promising-targets-2020-rover |title=Mars scientists tap ancient river deltas and hot springs as promising targets for 2020 rover |work=Science News |publisher=Science News |date=6 August 2015 |accessdate=7 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="NASA-20150304">{{cite web |title=PIA19303: A Possible Landing Site for the 2020 Mission: Jezero Crater |url=http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19303 |date=4 March 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>
 
−
*[[Mawrth Vallis]]
 
−
*Northeastern region of [[Syrtis Major Planum]]
 
−
*[[Nili Fossae]]
 
−
*Southwestern region of [[Melas Chasma]]
 
  
−
A workshop was held on 8–10 February 2017 in Pasadena, California, to discuss these sites, with the goal of narrowing down the list to 3-4 final sites for further consideration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/wkshp_2017_02.cfm |title=2020 Landing Site for Mars Rover Mission |publisher=NASA{{\}}Jet Propulsion Laboratory |accessdate=12 February 2017}}</ref> The selected sites are:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nature.com/news/three-sites-where-nasa-might-retrieve-its-first-mars-rock-1.21470 |title=Three sites where NASA might retrieve its first Mars rock |work=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first=Alexandra |last=Witze |date=11 February 2017 |accessdate=12 February 2017 |doi=10.1038/nature.2017.21470}}</ref>
+
==Major Mission Milestones==
 +
* 2021, 18 February - Landing of Perseverance on Mars surface
 +
* 2021, 4 March - First major test of Perseverance drive functions
 +
* 2021, 3 April - Deployment of Ingenuity
 +
* 2021, 3–4 April - Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) recorded the first weather report on Mars[80]
 +
* 2021, 19 April - First major flight test of Ingenuity
 +
* 2021, 20 April - Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE) generated 5.37g of oxygen gas from carbon dioxide on its first test on Mars.
 +
* 2021, 30 April - Ingenuity finished its fourth flight, which completed all mission objectives for this technology demonstrator.
  
−
*[[Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]]
 
−
*Northeastern region of [[Syrtis Major Planum]]
 
−
*[[Columbia Hills (Mars)|Columbia Hills]], in [[Gusev (Martian crater)|Gusev Crater]], where the [[Spirit rover|''Spirit'' rover]] landed
 
  
−
== Reactions ==
+
==Mission Easter Eggs==
−
In reaction to the announcement, California U.S. Representative [[Adam Schiff]] came out in support of the Mars rover mission plans, saying that "an upgraded rover with additional instrumentation and capabilities is a logical next step that builds upon now proven landing and surface operations systems."<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> Schiff also said he favored an expedited launch in 2018 which would enable an even greater payload to be launched to Mars. Schiff said he would be working with NASA, [[Executive Office of the President of the United States|White House administration]] and Congress to explore the possibility of advancing the launch date.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" />
+
* This is the first mission with a mission PIN number: AONREHMELN1730055.
 +
* The rover has a "Rover DNA Tattoo" inside the front left wheel which signifies the human "impulse for both exploration and innovation".
 +
* The parachute had red and white strips which spelled out "Dare Great Things" in hexadecimal.
 +
* The outer edge of the parachute had the coordinates: "34 degrees, 11 minutes, 58 seconds North, 118 degrees, 10 minutes, 31 seconds West" which is the location of Jet Propulsion Laboratory headquarters.
 +
* There was a tiny picture of silhoutettes of all the NASA Mars rovers on the rover's bed.
 +
* It carries 3 small chips with a stencil of 10.9 million names of people who submitted their names to be honorary passengers on the mission.
 +
* The Ingenuity helicopter had a tiny bit of the Wright brother's Kitty Hawk aircraft aboard.
  
−
NASA's science chief John Grunsfeld responded that while it could be possible to launch in 2018, "it would be a push." Grunsfeld said a 2018 launch would require certain science investigations be excluded from the rover and that even the 2020 launch target would be "ambitious."<ref name="CNET Harwood first" />
 
  
−
Space educator [[Bill Nye]] added his support for the planned mission saying, “We don't want to stop what we're doing on Mars because we're closer than ever to answering these questions: Was there life on Mars and stranger still, is there life there now in some extraordinary place that we haven't yet looked at? Mars was once very wet—it had oceans and lakes. Did life start on Mars and get flung into space and we are all descendants of Martian microbes? It's not crazy, and it's worth finding out. It's worth the cost of a cup of coffee per taxpayer every 10 years or 13 years to find out.”  Nye also endorsed a Mars sample-return role, saying “The amount of information you can get from a sample returned from Mars is believed to be extraordinarily fantastic and world-changing and worthy."<ref name="LA Times Nye">{{cite news |title=Bill Nye, the (planetary) science guy, on NASA's future |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-bill-nye-planetary-society-future-of-nasa-20121206,0,5639745.story?track=rss |accessdate=3 July 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=6 December 2012 |author=Rosie Mestel}}</ref>
+
==See also==
  
−
The selection has been criticized for NASA's constant attention to Mars,<ref name="scientific american">{{cite news |last=Matson |first=John |title=Has NASA Become Mars-Obsessed? |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=has-nasa-become-mars-obsessed |date=21 February 2013 |work=[[Scientific American]] |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref> and neglecting other Solar System destinations in constrained budget times. Contrary to usual NASA practices, the mission was approved for flight before a Science Definition Team (SDT) had been formed to decide on the mission's purpose and goals.
+
*[[Astrobiology]]
 +
*[[Climate of Mars]]
 +
*[[ExoMars|ExoMars rover]]
 +
*[[Exploration of Mars]]
 +
*[[Life on Mars]]
 +
*[[List of missions to Mars]]
 +
*[[Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter and Small Rover]]
 +
*[[Mars Orbiter Mission]]
 +
*[[Mars sample return mission]]
 +
*[[Water on Mars]]
  
−
== References ==
+
==External links==
−
<references />
 
  
−
== See also ==
+
*[http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/ Mars 2020 website]
−
* [[Astrobiology]]
+
*[http://mars.nasa.gov/files/m2020/Mars2020FAQs.pdf Mars 2020 Science Definition Team Report] at NASA.gov
−
* [[Climate of Mars]]
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU5MWtEs4L4 Proposed 2020 Mars Rover Science Goals (July 2013)]
−
* [[ExoMars|ExoMars rover]]
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRhU6bMLis Mars 2020 Rover and Beyond News Teleconference (July 2014)]
−
* [[Exploration of Mars]]
 
−
* [[Life on Mars]]
 
−
* [[List of missions to Mars]]
 
−
* [[Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter and Small Rover]]
 
−
* [[Mars Orbiter Mission]]
 
−
* [[Mars sample return mission]]
 
−
* [[Water on Mars]]
 
  
−
== External links ==
+
[[Category:Lander Missions]]
−
{{commons category|Mars 2020}}
 
−
* [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/ Mars 2020 website]
 
−
* [http://mars.nasa.gov/files/m2020/Mars2020FAQs.pdf Mars 2020 Science Definition Team Report] at NASA.gov
 
−
* {{YouTube|cU5MWtEs4L4|Proposed 2020 Mars Rover Science Goals (July 2013)}}
 
−
* {{YouTube|1cRhU6bMLis|Mars 2020 Rover and Beyond News Teleconference (July 2014)}}
 

Latest revision as of 09:47, 4 May 2021


Wikipedia's W.svg CC Sign Black.svg This article is based on a Wikipedia article and is controlled by version 3.0 of Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC-BY-SA).


Mars 2020 Rover - Artist's Rendering

Mars 2020 is a Mars rover mission by NASA's Mars Exploration Program which was launched on 2020, July 30th, and landed successfully on 2021, February 18th.

The Mars 2020 rover was named Perseverance was announced by NASA on 4 December 2012 at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco. The rover's design will be derived from the Curiosity rover, but will carry a different scientific payload. Nearly 60 proposals for rover instrumentation were evaluated and, on 31 July 2014, NASA announced the payload for the rover.

It includes a small coaxial helicopter Ingenuity, which successfully completed it mission in May 2021.

Mission

Launch windows 2018–2020
Year Launch C3-Launch energy
2018 Apr 2018 – May 2018 7.7–11.1 km2/s2
2020 Jul 2020 – Sep 2020 13.2 - 18.4 km2/s2

The rover is planned to be launched in 2020. based on scientific objectives set one year earlier. Precise mission details will be determined by the mission's Science Definition Team.

In May 2017, evidence of the earliest known life on land may have been found in 3.48-billion-year-old geyserite, a mineral deposit often found around hot springs and geysers, uncovered in the Pilbara Craton of Western Australia.

Proposed objectives

The mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, and it is planned to explore Jezero Crater for a Martian year (1 sol = 687 Earth days).

On 9 July 2013, the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team reiterated that the rover should look for signs of past life, collect samples for possible future return to Earth, and demonstrate technology for future human exploration of Mars. The Science Definition Team proposed the rover collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and soil for a later mission to bring back for more definitive analysis in laboratories on Earth, but in 2015 the concept was changed to collect even more samples and distribute the tubes in small piles across the surface of Mars. However, returning the samples to Earth would likely require two additional missions: one rover to land on Mars, take the samples collected by Mars 2020, and launch them into Mars orbit; and another to collect the sample canister in Mars orbit and return it to Earth. Neither of those missions is under development by NASA,

In September 2013 NASA launched an Announcement of Opportunity for researchers to propose and develop the instruments needed, including a core sample cache.

The rover can make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a human expedition understand any hazards posed by Martian dust, and will test technology to produce oxygen (O2) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).

Design

As proposed, the rover will be based on the design of Curiosity. While there will be differences in scientific instruments and the engineering required to support them, the entire landing system (including the sky crane and heat shield) and rover chassis can essentially be recreated without any additional engineering or research. This reduces overall technical risk for the mission, while saving funds and time on development.

A Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, left over as a backup part for Curiosity during its construction, will power the rover.

The rover mission and launch is estimated to cost about US$2.1 billion.

In October 2016, NASA reported using the Xombie rocket to test the Lander Vision System (LVS), as part of the Autonomous Descent and Ascent Powered-flight Testbed (ADAPT) experimental technologies, for the Mars 2020 mission landing.

Proposed scientific instruments

  • Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL), an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials.
  • Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment (RIMFAX), a ground-penetrating radar to image dozens of meters beneath the rover.
  • Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer (MEDA), a set of sensors that will provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. It would be provided by Spain's Centro de Astrobiología.
  • The Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE) is an exploration technology investigation that will produce oxygen (O2) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This technology could be scaled up in the future for human life support or make rocket fuel for return missions.
  • SuperCam, an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical composition analysis and mineralogy in rocks and regolith from a distance. It is similar to the ChemCam on the Curiosity rover but with four scientific instruments that will allow it to look for biosignatures.
  • Mastcam-Z, a stereoscopic imaging system with the ability to zoom.
  • Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC), an ultraviolet Raman spectrometer that uses fine-scale imaging and an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.
  • Mars Helicopter Scout (MHS) is a solar powered helicopter drone with a mass of 1kg that could help pinpoint interesting targets for study and plan the best driving route. It has coaxial rotors, a high resolution downward looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain, and a communication system to relay data to the rover.
  • Microphones will be used during the landing event, while driving, and when collecting samples.

Proposed landing sites

The following locations are the eight landing sites that were under consideration for Mars 2020 previous to the meeting in Pasedena, California Feb 2017.

A workshop was held on 8–10 February 2017 in Pasadena, California, to discuss these sites, with the goal of narrowing down the list to 3-4 final sites for further consideration.

The Jezero Crater was eventually selected.

Reactions

In reaction to the announcement, California U.S. Representative Adam Schiff came out in support of the Mars rover mission plans, saying that "an upgraded rover with additional instrumentation and capabilities is a logical next step that builds upon now proven landing and surface operations systems."

NASA's science chief John Grunsfeld responded that while it could be possible to launch in 2018, "it would be a push." Grunsfeld said a 2018 launch would require certain science investigations be excluded from the rover and that even the 2020 launch target would be "ambitious."

Space educator Bill Nye added his support for the planned mission saying, “We don't want to stop what we're doing on Mars because we're closer than ever to answering these questions: Was there life on Mars and stranger still, is there life there now in some extraordinary place that we haven't yet looked at? Mars was once very wet—it had oceans and lakes. Did life start on Mars and get flung into space and we are all descendants of Martian microbes? It's not crazy, and it's worth finding out. It's worth the cost of a cup of coffee per taxpayer every 10 years or 13 years to find out.” Nye also endorsed a Mars sample-return role, saying “The amount of information you can get from a sample returned from Mars is believed to be extraordinarily fantastic and world-changing and worthy."

The selection has been criticized for NASA's constant attention to Mars, and neglecting other Solar System destinations in constrained budget times. Contrary to usual NASA practices, the mission was approved for flight before a Science Definition Team (SDT) had been formed to decide on the mission's purpose and goals.


Major Mission Milestones

  • 2021, 18 February - Landing of Perseverance on Mars surface
  • 2021, 4 March - First major test of Perseverance drive functions
  • 2021, 3 April - Deployment of Ingenuity
  • 2021, 3–4 April - Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) recorded the first weather report on Mars[80]
  • 2021, 19 April - First major flight test of Ingenuity
  • 2021, 20 April - Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE) generated 5.37g of oxygen gas from carbon dioxide on its first test on Mars.
  • 2021, 30 April - Ingenuity finished its fourth flight, which completed all mission objectives for this technology demonstrator.


Mission Easter Eggs

  • This is the first mission with a mission PIN number: AONREHMELN1730055.
  • The rover has a "Rover DNA Tattoo" inside the front left wheel which signifies the human "impulse for both exploration and innovation".
  • The parachute had red and white strips which spelled out "Dare Great Things" in hexadecimal.
  • The outer edge of the parachute had the coordinates: "34 degrees, 11 minutes, 58 seconds North, 118 degrees, 10 minutes, 31 seconds West" which is the location of Jet Propulsion Laboratory headquarters.
  • There was a tiny picture of silhoutettes of all the NASA Mars rovers on the rover's bed.
  • It carries 3 small chips with a stencil of 10.9 million names of people who submitted their names to be honorary passengers on the mission.
  • The Ingenuity helicopter had a tiny bit of the Wright brother's Kitty Hawk aircraft aboard.


See also

External links

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