View source for Astronomy:Mars 2020

{{Short description|Astrobiology Mars rover mission by NASA}}
{{for timeline|Timeline of Mars 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name               = Mars 2020
| image              = Mars 2020 selfie containing both perseverance rover and ingenuity.gif
| image_caption      = {{longitem|Self-portrait of ''[[Engineering:Perseverance (rover)|Perseverance]]'' and ''[[Engineering:Ingenuity (helicopter)|Ingenuity]]'' (left) at Wright Brothers Field, 2021|style= padding: 3px 0; line-height: 1.3em;}}
| image_size         = 300px

| mission_type      = Mars exploration
| operator          = {{Hlist|[[Organization:NASA|NASA]]|[[Organization:Jet Propulsion Laboratory|JPL]]}}
| COSPAR_ID         = 2020-052A
| SATCAT            = 45983
| mission_duration  = 1 Mars year (668 sols, 687 Earth days) (planned) <br/>Perseverance: {{time interval|February 18, 2021|show=ymd}} (since landing) <br/> Ingenuity: {{time interval|April 3, 2021|January 25, 2024|show=ymd}} (final) 

| spacecraft        = ''[[Engineering:Perseverance (rover)|Perseverance]]''<br />''[[Engineering:Ingenuity (helicopter)|Ingenuity]]''
| launch_mass       = {{cvt|3649|kg}}
| launch_date       = 30 July 2020, 11:50:00 [[Physics:Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]
| launch_rocket     = [[Engineering:Atlas V|Atlas V 541]] (AV-088)
| launch_site       = Cape Canaveral, SLC-41
| launch_contractor = [[Company:United Launch Alliance|United Launch Alliance]]

| interplanetary = {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
 | type            = rover
 | object          = [[Astronomy:Mars|Mars]]
 | arrival_date    = 18 February 2021 
 | location        = Octavia E. Butler Landing, [[Astronomy:Jezero (crater)|Jezero]]<br />{{coord|18.4447|N|77.4508|E|globe:Mars|display=inline}}
 | distance        = {{cvt|23.73|km}} {{as of|2024|01|03|lc=y}} <ref name="Where is Perseverance">{{cite web |title=Where is Perseverance? |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/where-is-the-rover/ |website=Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover |publisher=NASA |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref>
| sample_mass       = 
}}

{{Infobox spaceflight/IP
 | type            = aircraft
 | object          = [[Astronomy:Mars|Mars]]
 | arrival_date    = 3 April 2021 (Deployed from ''Perseverance'')<ref name="NASA-20210404">{{cite web|title=NASA's Mars Helicopter Survives First Cold Martian Night on Its Own |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/news/8906/nasas-mars-helicopter-survives-first-cold-martian-night-on-its-own/|website=Nasa Mars Website}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
 | location        = Helipad at Wright Brothers Field near Octavia E. Butler Landing, [[Astronomy:Jezero (crater)|Jezero]]<ref>{{cite web|title=NASA to Attempt First Controlled Flight on Mars As Soon As Monday |date=17 April 2021|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-attempt-first-controlled-flight-on-mars-as-soon-as-monday}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><br />{{coord|18.44486|N|77.45102|E|globe:Mars}}
  | distance       = {{cvt|17.242|km}} in [[Astronomy:List of Ingenuity flights|72 flights]]<ref name="Where is Perseverance">{{cite web |title=Where is Perseverance? |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/where-is-the-rover/ |website=Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover |publisher=NASA |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref>
}}

| insignia          = [[File:Mars 2020 NASA insignia.svg|frameless|upright=0.5]] [[File:Mars 2020 JPL second insignia.svg|frameless|upright=0.5]]
| insignia_caption  = NASA and JPL insignias
| insignia_size     =

| programme         = '''[[Astronomy:Mars Exploration Program|Mars Exploration Program]]'''
| previous_mission  = [[Organization:Mars Science Laboratory|Mars Science Laboratory]]
| next_mission      = [[Astronomy:NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return|NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return]]
}}

'''Mars 2020''' is a [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] mission that includes the rover ''[[Engineering:Perseverance (rover)|Perseverance]]'', the now-retired small robotic helicopter ''[[Engineering:Ingenuity (helicopter)|Ingenuity]]'', and associated delivery systems, as part of the [[Astronomy:Mars Exploration Program|Mars Exploration Program]]. Mars 2020 was launched on an [[Engineering:Atlas V|Atlas V]] rocket  at 11:50:01 [[Physics:Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on 30 July 2020,<ref name="SFN20200624">{{cite web|url=https://mars.nasa.gov/news/8724/nasa-ula-launch-mars-2020-perseverance-rover-mission-to-red-planet/|title=NASA, ULA Launch Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission to Red Planet|publisher=NASA|date=30 July 2020|access-date=2 August 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> and landed in the Martian crater [[Astronomy:Jezero (crater)|Jezero]] on 18 February 2021 with confirmation received at 20:55 UTC.<ref name="landingtime">{{cite web|title=Touchdown! NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover Safely Lands on Red Planet|url=https://mars.nasa.gov/news/8865/touchdown-nasas-mars-perseverance-rover-safely-lands-on-red-planet/|publisher=NASA's Mars Exploration Program|date=18 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><!-- According to the source, the landing was announced at this time, but it technically happened earlier due to comm delay. --> On 5 March 2021, NASA named the landing site Octavia E. Butler Landing.<ref name="NASA-20210305">{{cite news|title=Welcome to 'Octavia E. Butler Landing'|url=https://mars.nasa.gov/resources/25701/welcome-to-octavia-e-butler-landing/|date=5 March 2021|publisher=NASA|access-date=5 March 2021}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> As of {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, ''Perseverance'' has been on [[Astronomy:Mars|Mars]] for {{Perseverance Mission Timer}} [[Astronomy:Sol (day on Mars)|sols]] ({{age in days|2021|02|18}} total days; <small>''{{Age in years and days|18 February 2021}}''</small>).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strickland |first=Ashley |date=2021-04-15 |title=Why Mars? The fascination with exploring the red planet |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/15/world/mars-exploration-humankind-scn/index.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mars {{!}} Facts, Surface, Moons, Temperature, & Atmosphere {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mars-planet |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Ben Turner |date=2021-07-16 |title=Some evidence of ancient Martian life has mysteriously vanished, NASA finds |url=https://www.livescience.com/mars-life-evidence-erased.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=livescience.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=mars.nasa.gov |title=Mars Technologies - NASA |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/technology/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=mars.nasa.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=2022-09-15 |title=Life on Mars? This Could Be the Place NASA's Rover Helps Us Find It. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/science/mars-perseverance-rover-life.html |access-date=2023-03-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''Ingenuity'' operated on [[Astronomy:Mars|Mars]] for {{age in sols|2021|02|18|2024|01|25}} [[Astronomy:Sol (day on Mars)|sols]] ({{age in days|2021|02|18|2024|01|25}} total days; <small>''{{Age in years and days|18 February 2021|25 January 2023}}''</small>) before sustaining serious damage to its rotor blades, possibly all four, causing NASA to retire the craft on 25 January 2024.<ref name="NASA_20240125">{{cite web | url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/after-three-years-on-mars-nasas-ingenuity-helicopter-mission-ends | title=After Three Years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends | website=[[Organization:Jet Propulsion Laboratory|Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=NASA Science Live: Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Tribute & Legacy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkZ6jkqPMEc |access-date=2024-02-01 |language=en}}</ref>

''Perseverance'' is investigating an [[Astronomy:Astrobiology|astrobiologically]] relevant ancient environment on Mars for its [[Astronomy:Geology of Mars|surface geological processes and history]], and assessing its past [[Astronomy:Planetary habitability|habitability]], the possibility of past [[Astronomy:Life on Mars|life on Mars]], and the potential for preservation of [[Astronomy:Biosignature|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|agency=Associated Press|access-date=12 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="nasa-letapp20121220">{{cite web|url=https://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/announcements/Call_for_2020_Mars_Science_Rover-G.pdf|title=Call for ''Letters of Application'' for Membership on the Science Definition Team for the 2020 Mars Science Rover|publisher=NASA|first=Mitch|last=Schulte|date=20 December 2012|id=NNH13ZDA003L}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> It will cache sample containers along its route for retrieval by a potential future [[Astronomy:NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return|Mars sample-return mission]].<ref name="nasa-letapp20121220"/><ref name=MPPG/><ref name=Moskowitz/> The Mars 2020 mission was announced by NASA in December 2012 at the fall meeting of the [[Organization:American Geophysical Union|American Geophysical Union]] in San Francisco. ''Perseverance''{{'s}} design is derived from the rover ''[[Engineering:Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity]]'', and it uses many components already fabricated and tested in addition to new scientific instruments and a [[Engineering:Core drill|core drill]].<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=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20603689|publisher=BBC News|access-date=5 December 2012}}</ref> The rover also employs nineteen cameras and two microphones,<ref>{{cite web|last=February 2021|first=Mike Wall 17|title=The sounds of Mars: NASA's Perseverance rover will put ears on the Red Planet for the 1st time |date=17 February 2021|url=https://www.space.com/perseverance-mars-rover-microphone-martian-sounds|access-date=18 February 2021|publisher=Space.com}}</ref> allowing for the audio recording of the Martian environment. On 30 April 2021, ''Perseverance'' became the first spacecraft to hear and record another spacecraft, the ''Ingenuity'' helicopter, on another planet.

The launch of Mars 2020 was the third of three space missions sent toward Mars during the July 2020 Mars launch window, with missions also launched by the national space agencies of the United Arab Emirates (the [[Astronomy:Emirates Mars Mission|Emirates Mars Mission]] with the orbiter ''Hope'' on 19 July 2020) and China (the [[Astronomy:Tianwen-1|''Tianwen''-1]] mission on 23 July 2020, with an orbiter, deployable and remote cameras, lander, and ''[[Engineering:Zhurong (rover)|Zhurong]]'' rover).

== Conception ==
The Mars 2020 mission was announced by NASA on 4 December 2012 at the fall meeting of the [[Organization:American Geophysical Union|American Geophysical Union]] in San Francisco.<ref name="CNET Harwood first"/> The selection of Mars as the target of NASA's flagship mission elicited surprise from some members of the scientific community. Some criticized NASA for continuing to focus on Mars exploration instead of other Solar System destinations in constrained budget times.<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><ref name="BA-20121206">{{cite news|last=Reilly |first=Doug |title=NASA Announces New Mars Rover: De ja vu, all over again… |url=http://bicycleastronomy.org/2012/12/06/nasa-announces-new-mars-rover-de-ja-vu-all-over-again/ |date=6 December 2012 |work=bicycleastronomy.org |accessdate=8 December 2013 }}</ref> Support came from California U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, who said he was interested in the possibility of advancing the launch date, which would enable a larger payload.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> Science educator [[Biography:Bill Nye|Bill Nye]] endorsed the Mars sample-return role, saying this would 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>

== Objectives ==
[[File:PIA23919-MarsPerseveranceRover-SampleTubes-20200520.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Sample tubes being loaded into the ''Perseverance'' rover]]

The mission is aimed at seeking signs of [[Astronomy:Planetary habitability|habitable conditions]] on Mars in the ancient past, and also at searching for evidence—or [[Astronomy:Biosignature|biosignature]]s—of past microbial life, and water. The mission was launched 30 July 2020 on an [[Engineering:Atlas V|Atlas V-541]],<ref name="CNET Harwood first"/> and the [[Organization:Jet Propulsion Laboratory|Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] manages the mission. The mission is part of NASA's [[Astronomy:Mars Exploration Program|Mars Exploration Program]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mars.nasa.gov/programmissions/missions/future/mars2020/|title=Program And Missions – 2020 Mission Plans|publisher=NASA|date=2015}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><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/|access-date=5 December 2012|newspaper=Wired |date=4 December 2012|first=Adam|last=Mann}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/mars-planning-group-endorses-sample-return|title=Mars Planning Group Endorses Sample Return |publisher=SpaceNews|first=Dan|last=Leone|date=3 October 2012}}</ref><ref name=MPPG>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/691580main_MPPG-Integrated-v13i-Summary%20Report-9-25-12.pdf|title=Summary of the Final Report|publisher=NASA{{\}}Mars Program Planning Group|date=25 September 2012}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The Science Definition Team proposed that the rover collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and surface soil for a later mission to bring back for definitive analysis on Earth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Greicius|first=Tony|date=2015-03-02|title=Science Team Outlines Goals for NASA's 2020 Mars Rover |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars/news/mars20130709.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=2021-02-19}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> In 2015, they expanded the concept, planning to collect even more samples and distribute the tubes in small piles or caches across the surface of Mars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/2017/20170828-mars-2020-sample-return.html|title=NASA considers kicking Mars sample return into high gear|publisher=The Planetary Society|first=Jason|last=Davis|date=28 August 2017}}</ref>

In September 2013, NASA launched an Announcement of Opportunity for researchers to propose and develop the instruments needed, including the Sample Caching System.<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|title=Announcement of Opportunity: Mars 2020 Investigations|publisher=NASA|date=24 September 2013|access-date=18 May 2014}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/instruments/|title=Mars 2020 Mission: Instruments|publisher=NASA|date=2013|access-date=18 May 2014}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The science instruments for the mission were selected in July 2014 after an open competition based on the scientific objectives set one year earlier.<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|publisher=NASA|access-date=31 July 2014}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Objectives – 2020 Mission Plans |url=http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/science/objectives/|website=mars.nasa.gov|access-date=4 December 2015}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The science conducted by the rover's instruments will provide the context needed for detailed analyses of the returned samples.<ref name='goals'>{{cite news|title=Science Team Outlines Goals for NASA's 2020 Mars Rover|date=9 July 2013|url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-217|work=Jet Propulsion Laboratory|publisher=NASA|access-date=10 July 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The chairman of the Science Definition Team stated that NASA does not presume that life ever existed on Mars, but given the recent [[Engineering:Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'' rover]] findings, past Martian life seems possible.<ref name='goals'/>

The ''Perseverance'' rover will explore a site likely to have been habitable. It will seek signs of past life, set aside a returnable cache with the most compelling rock core and soil samples, and demonstrate the technology needed for the future human and robotic exploration of Mars. A key mission requirement is that it must help prepare NASA for its long-term [[Astronomy:NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return|Mars sample-return mission]] and [[Astronomy:Human mission to Mars|crewed mission]] efforts.<ref name="nasa-letapp20121220"/><ref name=MPPG/><ref name=Moskowitz>{{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|publisher=Space.com|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref> The rover will make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a future human expedition understand any hazards posed by Martian dust, and will test [[Engineering:Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment|technology]] to produce a small amount of pure oxygen ({{chem2|O2}}) from [[Astronomy:Atmosphere of Mars|Martian atmospheric]] [[Chemistry:Carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]] ({{CO2|link=yes}}).<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=https://spacenews.com/38288mars-2020-rover-to-include-test-device-to-tap-planets-atmosphere-for/|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=29 December 2019}}</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 |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|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=2 September 2014}}</ref> Based on input from the Science Definition Team, NASA defined the final objectives for the 2020 rover. Those became the basis for soliciting proposals to provide instruments for the rover's science payload in the spring of 2014.<ref name='Tap O2 2013'/> The mission will also attempt to identify [[Astronomy:Water on Mars#Ground ice|subsurface water]], improve landing techniques, and characterize [[Astronomy:Climate of Mars|weather]], [[Astronomy:Martian soil|dust]], and other potential environmental conditions that could affect future astronauts living and working on Mars.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/overview/|title=Mars 2020 Rover – Overview|publisher=NASA/JPL|access-date=6 July 2018}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

[[File:Locations and future destinations of Perseverance in Jezero.jpg|thumb|left|320px|Campaign plans for 2021–2022]]
[[File:PIA23590 hires.jpg|alt=Mars 2020 Aeroshell|thumb|The heat shield (left) and back shell (right) together make up the aeroshell for NASA's Mars 2020 mission. The diameter of each part is about 15 feet (4.5 metres). The rover and its descent stage were enclosed and shielded by the aeroshell during their deep space voyage to Mars and upon entry into the Martian atmosphere, which generated intense heat. The aeroshell was made by Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, Colorado, where the photo was taken.]]
A key mission requirement for this rover is that it must help prepare NASA for its Mars sample-return mission (MSR) campaign,<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|publisher=Denver Museum of Nature and Science|date=13 October 2015 |access-date=10 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Planetary Decadal 2010">{{cite web|url=https://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/ssbsite/documents/webpage/ssb_059308.pdf|title=Mission Concept Study: Planetary Science Decadal Survey – MSR Orbiter Mission (Including Mars Returned Sample Handling)|publisher=NASA|first=Richard|last=Mattingly|date=March 2010}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> which is needed before any crewed mission takes place.<ref name="nasa-letapp20121220"/><ref name=MPPG/><ref name=Moskowitz/> Such effort would require three additional vehicles: an orbiter, a fetch rover, and a  [[Astronomy:Multistage rocket|two-stage]], [[Chemistry:Solid-propellant rocket|solid-fueled]] Mars ascent vehicle (MAV).<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Ross|first1=D.|last2=Russell|first2=J.|last3=Sutter|first3=B.|title=2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference |chapter=Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV): Designing for high heritage and low risk |date=March 2012|pages=1–6|doi=10.1109/AERO.2012.6187296|isbn=978-1-4577-0557-1|s2cid=21266048}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20190002134.pdf|title=Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV)|date=March 2019 |last1=Prince |first1=Andrew |last2=McCauley |first2=Rachel |last3=Kibbey |first3=Timothy |last4=McCollum |first4=Lisa |last5=Oglesby |first5=Britt |last6=Stenfanski |first6=Philip }} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Between 20 and 30 drilled samples will be collected and cached inside small tubes by the ''Perseverance'' rover,<ref name='Hunt_Dec2019'>[https://www.space.com/mars-2020-rover-alien-life-hunt.html How NASA's Next Mars Rover Will Hunt for Alien Life.] Mike Wall, ''Space.com'', 11 December 2019</ref> and will be left on the surface of Mars for possible later retrieval by NASA in collaboration with ESA.<ref name="Planetary Decadal 2010"/><ref name='Hunt_Dec2019'/> A "fetch rover" would retrieve the sample caches and deliver them to a  [[Astronomy:Multistage rocket|two-stage]], [[Chemistry:Solid-propellant rocket|solid-fueled]] Mars ascent vehicle (MAV). In July 2018, NASA contracted [[Company:Airbus|Airbus]] to produce a "fetch rover" concept study.<ref name='Fetch rover'>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44728947|title=Fetch rover! Robot to retrieve Mars rocks|publisher=BBC News|first=Jonathan|last=Amos|date=6 July 2018|access-date=9 July 2018}}</ref> The MAV would launch from Mars and enter a 500&nbsp;km orbit and [[Astronomy:Space rendezvous|rendezvous]] with the [[Astronomy:Next Mars Orbiter|Next Mars Orbiter]] or [[Astronomy:NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return#Sample return|Earth Return Orbiter]].<ref name="Planetary Decadal 2010"/> The sample container would be transferred to an Earth entry vehicle (EEV) which would bring it to Earth, enter the atmosphere under a parachute and hard-land for retrieval and analyses in specially designed safe laboratories.<ref name="Denver Museum"/><ref name="Planetary Decadal 2010"/>

In the first science campaign ''Perseverance'' performs an arching drive southward from its landing site to the Séítah unit to perform a "toe dip" into the unit to collect remote-sensing measurements of geologic targets. After that she will return to the ''Crater Floor Fractured Rough'' to collect the first core sample there. Passing by the Octavia B. Butler landing site concludes the first science campaign.

The second campaign shall start with several months of travel towards the "Three Forks" where Perseverance can access geologic locations at the base of the ancient delta of Neretva river, as well as ascend the delta by driving up a valley wall to the northwest.<ref>[https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/beta/catalog/PIA24596 Perseverance's First Road Trip]</ref>

== Spacecraft ==

=== Cruise stage and EDLS ===
[[File:Animation of Mars 2020's trajectory around Sun.gif|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Animation of Mars 2020's trajectory from 30 July 2020 to 20 February 2021<br />{{hlist|{{legend2|magenta|Mars 2020}}|{{legend2|yellow|Sun}}|{{legend2|Royalblue|Earth}}|{{legend2|Lime|Mars}}}}]]

The three major components of the Mars 2020 spacecraft are the {{cvt|539|kg|adj=on}}<ref name="EspaceEtExplorationNo61">{{cite magazine|date=January 2021|title=Fiche Technique: Mars 2020 Vaisseau Spatial|trans-title=Mars 2020|url=http://www.espace-exploration.com/fr/anciensnumeros|magazine=Espace & Exploration|language=fr|issue=61|pages=42–43|access-date=5 February 2021|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116183330/http://www.espace-exploration.com/fr/anciensnumeros|url-status=dead}}</ref> cruise stage for travel between Earth and Mars; the Entry, Descent, and Landing System (EDLS) that includes the {{cvt|575|kg}}<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo61/> [[Engineering:Aeroshell|aeroshell]]  descent vehicle + {{cvt|440|kg}} heat shield; and the {{cvt|1070|kg}} (fueled mass)<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo61/> [[Organization:Mars Science Laboratory#Sky crane landing|descent stage]] needed to deliver ''Perseverance'' and ''Ingenuity'' safely to the Martian surface. The Descent Stage carries {{cvt|400|kg}} landing propellant for the final soft landing burn after being slowed down by a {{cvt|21.5|m}}-wide, {{cvt|81|kg}} parachute.<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo61/> The {{cvt|1025|kg}}<ref name=EspaceEtExplorationNo61/> rover is based on the design of [[Engineering:Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'']].<ref name="CNET Harwood first">{{cite news|title=NASA announces plans for new US$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/|access-date=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 are differences in scientific instruments and the engineering required to support them, the entire landing system (including the [[Organization:Mars Science Laboratory#Sky crane landing|descent stage]] and heat shield) and rover chassis could 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|access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref>

One of the upgrades is a guidance and control technique called "Terrain Relative Navigation" (TRN) to fine-tune steering in the final moments of landing.<ref name="NASA-20190701">{{cite news|last=Agle|first=D. C.|title=A Neil Armstrong for Mars: Landing the Mars 2020 Rover|url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7442|date=1 July 2019|publisher=NASA|access-date=1 July 2019}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/timeline/entry-descent-landing/|title=Mars 2020 Rover: Entry, Descent, and Landing System|publisher=NASA|date=July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> This system allowed for a landing accuracy within {{cvt|40|m}} and avoided obstacles.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/10/heres-an-example-of-the-crazy-lengths-nasa-goes-to-land-safely-on-mars/ Here's an example of the crazy lengths NASA goes to land safely on Mars.] Eric Berger, ''Ars Technica'', 7 October 2019</ref> This is a marked improvement from the [[Organization:Mars Science Laboratory|Mars Science Laboratory]] mission that had an elliptical area of {{cvt|7|by|20|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|date=11 June 2012|title=NASA Mars Rover Team Aims for Landing Closer to Prime Science Site |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120611.html|access-date=28 January 2021}}</ref> In October 2016, NASA reported using the [[Engineering: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, meant to increase the landing accuracy and avoid obstacle hazards.<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|publisher=NASA|access-date=5 October 2016}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Marshall|date=4 October 2016 |title=Fresh Eyes on Mars: Mars 2020 Lander Vision System Tested through NASA's Flight Opportunities Program|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/fresh_eyes_on_mars.html|access-date=28 January 2021|website=NASA}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

== ''Perseverance'' rover ==
{{Main|Engineering:Perseverance (rover)}}

{{multiple image
| header        = Spacecraft of Mars 2020
| align         = center
| direction     = horizontal
| caption_align = center
| total_width   = 800

| image1   = PIA23499-Mars2020Rover-FirstTestDrive-20191217a.jpg
| width1   = 230
| caption1 = ''Perseverance'' rover at [[Organization:Jet Propulsion Laboratory|JPL]]

| image2   = Diagram of the perseverance rover-instruments.jpg
| width2   = 230
| caption2 = Seven scientific instruments aboard ''Perseverance''

| image3   = PIA23720-Mars2020-Helicopter-20200714 (cropped).jpg
| caption3 = [[Astronomy:Mars Helicopter Ingenuity|''Ingenuity'']] helicopter

| image4   = Mars 2020 spacecraft thermal vacuum test PIA23263- D2019 0426 G2775 (cropped).jpg
| width4   = 172
| caption4 = The cruise stage and [[Astronomy:Atmospheric entry|EDLS]] carried both spacecraft to Mars.
}}
''Perseverance'' was designed with help from ''[[Engineering:Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity]]''{{'s}} engineering team, as both are quite similar and share common hardware.<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|access-date=5 December 2012|publisher=Space.com|date=4 December 2012|first=Mike|last=Wall}}</ref> Engineers redesigned ''Perseverance''{{'s}} wheels to be more robust than ''Curiosity''{{'s}}, which, after kilometres of driving on the Martian surface, have shown progressed deterioration.<ref name="planetary20140819">{{cite web|last1=Lakdawalla|first1=Emily |title=Curiosity wheel damage: The problem and solutions|url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2014/08190630-curiosity-wheel-damage.html|website=planetary.org/blogs|publisher=The Planetary Society |date=19 August 2014|access-date=22 August 2014}}</ref> ''Perseverance'' will have thicker, more durable [[Chemistry:Aluminium|aluminium]] wheels, with reduced width and a greater diameter, {{cvt|52.5|cm}}, than ''Curiosity''{{'s}} {{cvt|50|cm|in|adj=on}} wheels.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gebhardt|first1=Chris|title=Mars 2020 rover receives upgraded eyesight for tricky skycrane landing|date=11 October 2016 |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/10/mars-2020-rover-eyesight-skycrane-landing/|publisher=NASASpaceFlight|access-date=11 October 2016}}</ref><ref name=Body>{{cite web|url=https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/rover/body/|title=Mars 2020 – Body: New Wheels for Mars 2020|publisher=NASA/JPL|access-date=6 July 2018}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The aluminium wheels are covered with cleats for traction and curved titanium spokes for springy support.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/rover/wheels/|title=Mars 2020 Rover – Wheels|publisher=NASA|access-date=9 July 2018}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The combination of the larger instrument suite, new Sampling and Caching System, and modified wheels makes ''Perseverance'' 14 percent heavier than ''Curiosity'', at {{cvt|1025|kg}} and {{cvt|899|kg}}, respectively.<ref name=Body/> The rover will include a five-jointed robotic arm measuring {{cvt|2.1|m}} long. The arm will be used in combination with a turret to analyze geologic samples from the Martian surface.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mars 2020 Rover's 7-Foot-Long Robotic Arm Installed|url=https://mars.nasa.gov/news/8454/mars-2020-rovers-7-foot-long-robotic-arm-installed/|website=mars.nasa.gov|access-date=1 July 2019|date=28 June 2019|quote=The main arm includes five electrical motors and five joints (known as the shoulder azimuth joint, shoulder elevation joint, elbow joint, wrist joint and turret joint). Measuring {{convert|7|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} long, the arm will allow the rover to work as a human geologist would: by holding and using science tools with its turret, which is essentially its "hand".}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

A Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG), left over as a backup part for ''Curiosity'' during its construction, was integrated onto the rover to supply electrical power.<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|access-date=5 December 2012|newspaper=Cosmic Log|date=4 December 2012|first=Alan|last=Boyle|agency=NBC News|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227001036/http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/04/15678579-nasa-plans-2020-mars-rover-remake|url-status=dead}}</ref> The generator has a mass of {{cvt|45|kg}} and contains {{cvt|4.8|kg}} of [[Chemistry:Plutonium(IV) oxide|plutonium dioxide]] as the source of steady supply of heat that is converted to electricity.<ref name=Power>{{cite web |url=https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/rover/electrical-power/|title=Mars 2020 Rover Tech Specs|publisher=JPL/NASA|access-date=6 July 2018}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The electrical power generated is approximately 110 watts at launch with little decrease over the mission time.<ref name=Power/>

Two [[Engineering:Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion rechargeable batteries]] are included to meet peak demands of rover activities when the demand temporarily exceeds the MMRTG's steady electrical output levels. The MMRTG offers a 14-year operational lifetime, and it was provided to NASA by the United States Department of Energy.<ref name=Power/> Unlike solar panels, the MMRTG does not rely on the presence of the Sun for power, providing engineers with significant flexibility in operating the rover's instruments even at night and during dust storms, and through the winter season.<ref name=Power/>

The Norwegian-developed radar [[Engineering:RIMFAX|RIMFAX]] is one of the seven instruments that have been placed on board. The radar has been developed together with FFI (Norwegian Defence Research Establishment), led by Principal Investigator Svein-Erik Hamran of FFI, the Norwegian Space Center,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romsenter|first=Norsk|title=Svein-Erik Hamran|url=https://www.romsenter.no/Media/Images/Industri-og-bedrifter/Svein-Erik-Hamran|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Norsk Romsenter|language=no}}</ref> and a number of Norwegian companies. Space has also been found for the first time for an [[Engineering:Ingenuity (helicopter)|uncrewed helicopter]], which will be controlled by NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) trained cybernetics engineer Håvard Fjær Grip and his team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Helland Urke|first=Eirik|date=18 February 2021|title=Direkte: Mars Perseverance har landet!|language=Norwegian|work=Teknisk Ukeblad|url=https://www.tu.no/artikler/se-mars-landingen-direkte-torsdag-kveld-det-kribler-litt-i-magen-na/506950|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

Each Mars mission contributes to an ongoing innovation chain. Each draws on prior operations or tested technologies and contributes uniquely to upcoming missions. By using this strategy, NASA is able to advance the frontiers of what is currently feasible while still depending on earlier advancements.

The ''Curiosity'' rover, which touched down on Mars in 2012, is directly responsible for a large portion of ''Perseverance''<nowiki/>'s rover design, including its entry, descent, and landing mechanism. With ''Perseverance'', new technological innovations will be demonstrated, and entry, descent, and landing capabilities will be improved. These advancements will help open the door for future robotic and human missions to the Moon and Mars.[[File:Relic from the Wright brothers’ airplane attached to the Ingenuity helicopter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|A piece of fabric from the wing of the 1903 ''Wright Flyer'' airplane of the Wright brothers is attached under the solar panel of the ''Ingenuity'' helicopter.]]

=== ''Ingenuity'' helicopter ===
{{Main|Engineering:Ingenuity (helicopter)}}

''Ingenuity'' is a defunct robotic [[Physics:Coaxial rotors|coaxial]] helicopter that made the first aircraft flights on another planet.<ref name="ingenuity landing press kit">{{cite web |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press_kits/mars_2020/download/ingenuity_landing_press_kit.pdf|title=Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Landing Press Kit|publisher=NASA|date=January 2021|access-date=14 February 2021}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> It was deployed from the underside of ''Perseverance'' and uses autonomous control guided by flight plan instructions uploaded from mission control.<ref name="spacenews 20180504">[http://spacenews.com/decision-expected-soon-on-adding-helicopter-to-mars-2020/ Decision expected soon on adding helicopter to Mars 2020] Jeff Fout, ''SpaceNews'', 4 May 2018</ref><ref name="ingenuity landing press kit"/> After each landing, it transmits photographs and other data to ''Perseverance'', which relays the information to Earth. NASA will build on the helicopter's design for future Mars missions.<ref name='Balaram 2018'>[https://rotorcraft.arc.nasa.gov/Publications/files/Balaram_AIAA2018_0023.pdf Mars Helicopter Technology Demonstrator], J. (Bob) Balaram, Timothy Canham, Courtney Duncan, Matt Golombek, Håvard Fjær Grip, Wayne Johnson, Justin Maki, Amelia Quon, Ryan Stern, and David Zhu. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), SciTech Forum Conference; 8–12 January 2018, Kissimmee, Florida {{doi|10.2514/6.2018-0023}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The helicopter flew 72 times until its end of mission on 25 January 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=After Three Years on Mars, NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/after-three-years-on-mars-nasas-ingenuity-helicopter-mission-ends/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Mission ==
[[File:260184-JezeroCrater-Delta-Full.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|The Jezero crater delta on Mars, where the ''Perseverance'' rover and ''Ingenuity'' helicopter landed. Clays are visible as green in this [[False color|false color]] CRISM / CTX image.]]
[[File:Jezero Crater Formation by asteroid impact.webm|thumb|Jezero Crater Formation by asteroid impact]]
The mission is centered around exploring [[Astronomy:Jezero (crater)|Jezero crater]], which scientists speculate was a {{cvt|250|m}} deep lake about 3.9 billion to 3.5 billion years ago.<ref name="NYT-20181119">{{cite news|last=Chang |first=Kenneth|title=NASA Mars 2020 Rover Gets a Landing Site: A Crater That Contained a Lake – The rover will search the Jezero Crater and delta for the chemical building blocks of life and other signs of past microbes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/19/science/nasa-mars-2020-rover.html|date=19 November 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> Jezero today features a prominent river delta where water flowing through it deposited much sediment over the eons, which is "extremely good at preserving [[Astronomy:Biosignature|biosignature]]s".<ref name="NYT-20181119"/><ref name="SPC-20181119">{{cite news|last=Wall |first=Mike|title=Jezero Crater or Bust! NASA Picks Landing Site for Mars 2020 Rover|url=https://www.space.com/42486-mars-2020-rover-jezero-crater-landing-site.html|date=19 November 2018|publisher=Space.com |access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref> The sediments in the delta likely include carbonates and hydrated silica, known to preserve microscopic fossils on Earth for billions of years.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/11/16/mars-rover-will-visit-perfect-spot-find-signs-life-new-studies-show/ The ''Perseverance'' rover will visit the perfect spot to find signs of life, new studies show] Sarah Kaplan, ''The Washington Post'', 16 November 2019</ref> Prior to the selection of Jezero, eight proposed landing sites for the mission were under consideration by September 2015; [[Astronomy:Columbia Hills (Mars)|Columbia Hills]] in [[Astronomy:Gusev (Martian crater)|Gusev crater]], [[Astronomy:Eberswalde (crater)|Eberswalde crater]], [[Astronomy:Holden (Martian crater)|Holden crater]], Jezero crater,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hand|first=Eric |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/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|publisher=Science News|date=6 August 2015|access-date=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|publisher=NASA|access-date=7 March 2015}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> [[Astronomy:Mawrth Vallis|Mawrth Vallis]], [[Astronomy:Northeast Syrtis|Northeastern Syrtis Major Planum]], [[Astronomy:Nili Fossae|Nili Fossae]], and Southwestern [[Astronomy:Melas Chasma|Melas Chasma]].<ref name="landing sites">{{cite web|url=http://phys.org/news/2015-09-discusses-mars.html|title=Researcher discusses where to land Mars 2020|publisher=Phys.org |first=Ken|last=Farley|date=8 September 2015|access-date=9 September 2015}}</ref>

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 three 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|access-date=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420063035/https://marsnext.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/wkshp_2017_02.cfm|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The three sites chosen were Jezero crater, Northeastern Syrtis Major Planum, and Columbia Hills.<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|journal=Nature|first=Alexandra|last=Witze|date=11 February 2017|access-date=12 February 2017|bibcode=2017Natur.542..279W}}</ref> Jezero crater was ultimately selected as the landing site in November 2018.<ref name="NYT-20181119"/> The "fetch rover" for returning the samples is expected to launch in 2026. The landing and surface operations of the "fetch rover" would take place early in 2029. The earliest return to [[Astronomy:Earth|Earth]] is envisaged for 2031.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=28 July 2020|title=How the Perseverance Mars Rover Will Help NASA Return Mars Samples to Earth |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SEOiC5IVXA&feature=youtu.be&t=2395|time-caption=Event occurs from|time=39:55 to 42:13|publisher=NASA}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

== Launch and cruise ==
[[File:Mars 2020 Perseverance Launch (NHQ202007300022).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Mars 2020 launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 11:50 UTC on 30 July 2020]]

The launch window, when the positions of Earth and Mars were optimal for traveling to Mars, opened on 17 July 2020 and lasted through 15 August 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|title=Mars 2020 launch slips again|url=https://spacenews.com/mars-2020-launch-slips-again/|access-date=30 July 2020|publisher=SpaceNews|date=30 June 2020}}</ref> The rocket was launched on 30 July 2020 at 11:50 UTC, and the rover landed on Mars on 18 February 2021 at 20:55 UTC, with a planned surface mission of at least one Mars year (668 [[Astronomy:Sol (day on Mars)|sols]] or 687 Earth days).<ref name="Launchvehicle">{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/07/25/nasa-books-nuclear-certified-atlas-5-rocket-for-mars-2020-rover-launch/|title=NASA books nuclear-certified Atlas 5 rocket for Mars 2020 rover launch |publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Justin|last=Ray|date=25 July 2016|access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="NASAoverview">{{cite web|url=http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/overview/|title=Overview – Mars 2020 Rover|last=mars.nasa.gov|website=mars.nasa.gov|access-date=19 February 2019}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="NASA-Mars2020">{{cite web|url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/overview/|title=Mission: Overview|publisher=NASA|access-date=7 March 2015}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Two other missions to Mars were launch in this window: the [[Organization:United Arab Emirates Space Agency|United Arab Emirates Space Agency]] launched its [[Astronomy:Emirates Mars Mission|Emirates Mars Mission]] with the ''Hope'' orbiter on 20 July 2020, which arrived in Mars orbit on 8 February 2021, and [[Organization:China National Space Administration|China National Space Administration]] launched ''[[Astronomy:Tianwen-1|Tianwen-1]]'' on 23 July 2020, arriving in orbit on 10 February 2021 and successfully soft landed with the [[Engineering:Zhurong (rover)|Zhurong]] rover on 14 May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-08/move-over-rover-three-mars-missions-set-to-arrive-this-month|title=Three Mars Missions Set to Arrive This Month|first=Justin|last=Bachman|date=8 February 2021|access-date=February 22, 2021|publisher=Bloomberg News}}</ref>

NASA announced that all of the trajectory correction maneuvers (TCM) were a success. The spacecraft fired thrusters to adjust its course toward Mars, shifting the probe's initial post-launch aim point onto the Red Planet.<ref name="Trajectory">{{cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/08/The%20next%20trajectory%20correction%20burns%20for%20Mars%202020%20are%20scheduled%20for%20Sept.%2030,%20Dec.%2018,%20Feb.%2010,%20and%20Feb.%2016.%20That%20will%20set%20the%20stage%20for%20the%20Perseverance%20rover%E2%80%99s%20landing%20on%20Mars%20on%20Feb.%2018.19/mars-missions-complete-first-course-corrections-on-journey-to-red-planet/|title=Mars missions complete first course corrections on journey to Red Planet|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=19 August 2020|access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref>
{{-}}

== Entry, descent, and landing (EDL) ==
[[File:Perseverance_Rover's_Entry,_Descent_and_Landing_Profile.png|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Diagram of the various stages of the EDL process for ''Perseverance'']]
[[File:NASA-MarsPerseveranceRover-LandingDrop-20210218.png|thumb|upright=1.0|The rover photographed from the sky crane during descent]]

Prior to landing, the Science Team from an earlier NASA lander, [[Astronomy:InSight|InSight]], announced that they would attempt to detect the entry, descent and landing (EDL) sequence of the Mars 2020 mission using InSight's seismometers. Despite being more than {{cvt|3400|km}} away from the Mars landing site, the team indicated that there was a possibility that InSight's instruments would be sensitive enough to detect the hypersonic [[Astronomy:Impact event|impact]] of Mars 2020's cruise mass balance devices with the Martian surface.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Fernando|first1=Benjamin|last2=Wójcicka|first2=Natalia|last3=Froment |first3=Marouchka|last4=Maguire|first4=Ross|last5=Stähler|first5=Simon C.|last6=Rolland|first6=Lucie|last7=Collins|first7=Gareth S.|last8=Karatekin|first8=Ozgur|last9=Larmat|first9=Carene|last10=Sansom |first10=Eleanor K.|last11=Teanby|first11=Nicholas A.|title=Listening for the Landing: Seismic Detections of Perseverance's arrival at Mars with InSight|journal=Earth and Space Science|year=2021 |volume=8 |issue=4|pages=e2020EA001585|doi=10.1029/2020EA001585|bibcode=2021E&SS....801585F|issn=2333-5084|doi-access=free|hdl=20.500.11937/90005|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=O'Callaghan|first=Jonathan|title=NASA probe on Mars may feel the ground shake as rovers land in 2021|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2263499-nasa-probe-on-mars-may-feel-the-ground-shake-as-rovers-land-in-2021/|access-date=11 February 2021|publisher=New Scientist}}</ref>

The rover's landing was planned similar to the [[Organization:Mars Science Laboratory|Mars Science Laboratory]] used to deploy ''[[Engineering:Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity]]'' on Mars in 2012. The craft from Earth was a carbon fiber capsule that protected the rover and other equipment from heat during entry into the Mars atmosphere and initial guidance towards the planned landing site. Once through, the craft jettisoned the lower heat shield and deployed a parachute from the backshell to slow the descent to a controlled speed. With the craft moving under {{cvt|320|kph}} and about {{cvt|1.9|km}} from the surface, the rover and [[Astronomy:Sky crane (landing system)|sky crane]] assembly detached from the backshell, and rockets on the sky crane controlled the remaining descent to the planet. As the sky crane moved closer to the surface, it lowered ''Perseverance'' via cables until it confirmed touchdown, detached the cables, and flew a distance away to avoid damaging the rover.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://astronomy.com/news/2021/02/skycrane-how-perseverance-will-land-on-mars|title=The Skycrane: How NASA's Perseverance rover will land on Mars|first=Eric|last=Betz|date=18 February 2021|access-date=22 February 2021|publisher=Astronomy.com}}</ref>

[[File:NASA's Perseverance Rover Microphone Captures Sounds from Mars without rover noise.ogg|thumb|upright=1.0|''Perseverance'' recording of the ambient noise on Mars, modified to remove the background sounds of the rover]]

''Perseverance'' successfully landed on the surface of Mars with help of the sky crane on 18 February 2021 at 20:55 UTC, to begin its science phase, and began sending images back to Earth.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strickland|first=Ashley|date=19 February 2021|title=Incredible new images shared by Perseverance rover after Mars landing|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/world/mars-rover-new-images-scn-trnd/index.html|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref> ''Ingenuity'' reported back to NASA via the communications systems on ''Perseverance'' the following day, confirming its status. The helicopter was not expected to be deployed for at least 60 days into the mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/20/world/mars-ingenuity-helicopter-update-scn-trnd/index.html|title=Ingenuity helicopter phones home from Mars|first=Ashley|last=Strickland|date=20 February 2021|access-date=22 February 2021|publisher=CNN}}</ref> NASA also confirmed that the on-board microphone on ''Perseverance'' had survived entry, descent and landing (EDL), along with other high-end visual recording devices, and released the first audio recorded on the surface of Mars shortly after landing,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/world/mars-rover-new-video-images-scn-trnd/index.html|title=NASA shares first video and audio, new images from Mars Perseverance rover|first=Ashley|last=Strickland|date=23 February 2021|access-date=23 February 2021|publisher=CNN}}</ref> capturing the sound of a Martian [[Earth:Wind|breeze]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Crane|first=Leah|title=Perseverance rover has sent back stunning video and audio from Mars|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2268810-perseverance-rover-has-sent-back-stunning-video-and-audio-from-mars/|date=2021-02-22|access-date=2021-02-24|website=New Scientist}}</ref> as well as a hum from the rover itself. On 7 May 2021, NASA confirmed that ''Perseverance'' managed to record both audio and video from ''Ingenuity'''s fourth flight which took place on 30 April 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/news/8941/nasas-perseverance-captures-video-audio-of-fourth-ingenuity-flight/|title=NASA's Perseverance Captures Video, Audio of Fourth Ingenuity Flight|publisher=NASA|date=May 7, 2021|access-date=May 7, 2021}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

== Major mission milestones and works ==
{{main|Astronomy:Timeline of Mars 2020}}
[[File:PIA24746(cropped) Jezero Crater Floor Fractured Rough.png|thumb|"Crater Floor Fractured Rough" is the area from which the first rock sample shall be collected<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/resources/26066|title=Perseverance Scouts First Sampling Location|publisher=NASA|date=July 7, 2021|ref=Floor Fractured Rough}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>]]

* 18 February 2021 – Landing of ''Perseverance'' on Mars surface
* 4 March 2021 – First major test of ''Perseverance'' drive functions
* 3 April 2021 – Deployment of ''Ingenuity''
* 3–4 April 2021 – [[Engineering:Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer|Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer]] (MEDA) recorded the first weather report on Mars<ref name="WP-20210408">{{cite news|last=Cappucci|first=Matthew|title=NASA receives first weather reports from Perseverance rover on Mars at Jezero Crater – The weather data is crucial as the first flight of ''Ingenuity'' draws near|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/04/08/nasa-perseverence-jezero-weather/|date=8 April 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=8 April 2021}}</ref>
* 19 April 2021 – First flight of ''Ingenuity''
* 20 April 2021 – [[Engineering:Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment|Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment]] (MOXIE) generated {{cvt|5.37|g}} of oxygen gas from carbon dioxide on its first test on Mars.
* 1 June 2021 – ''Perseverance'' begins its first science campaign.
* 8 June 2021 – Seventh flight of ''Ingenuity''.
* 21 June 2021 – Eighth flight of ''Ingenuity''. The "watchdog issue", a recurring issue which occasionally prevented Ingenuity from taking flight, is fixed.
* 5 July 2021 – Ninth flight of ''Ingenuity''. This flight is the first to explore areas only an aerial vehicle can, by taking a shortcut over the ''Séítah unit''. The sandy ripples of the ''Séítah unit'' would prove too difficult for ''Perseverance'' to travel through directly.
* 6 August 2021 – ''Perseverance'' acquired its first sample from the ancient lakebed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mars.nasa.gov |title=Perseverance Rover Mars Rock Samples |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars-rock-samples |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=NASA Mars Exploration |language=en}}</ref>
* 3 May 2022 – After 27 flights of ''Ingenuity'', the rover lost contact with the helicopter. By suspending scientific operations on the rover to listen for signals from the helicopter, NASA was able to regain contact and resume flights.
* 25 January 2024 – NASA announces end of mission for ''Ingenuity.'' Engineers determined that the helicopter sustained damage after a communications blackout with ''Perseverance'' just before the landing of flight 72. Photos taken by ''Ingenuity'' showed that its rotor blades, possibly all four, were damaged, resulting in the decision not to fly again. Final system tests and retrieval of data are ongoing.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=mars.nasa.gov |title=Images from the Mars Perseverance Rover - NASA |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/multimedia/raw-images/index.cfm?begin_sol=1040&end_sol=1043&af=HELI_NAV,HELI_RTE |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=mars.nasa.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=NASA Science Live: Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Tribute & Legacy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkZ6jkqPMEc |access-date=2024-02-01 |language=en}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
{{excerpt|Perseverance (rover)|Samples cached for the Mars sample-return mission|hat=no}}
[[File:PIA24483-MarsPerseveranceRover-OctaviaEButler-LandingSite-20210305.jpg|thumb|center|500px|<div align="center">Mars ''Perseverance'' rover – Octavia E. Butler Landing Site in the Jezero crater (5 March 2021)</div>]]
{{Multiple image
| align         = center
| total_width   = 800
| caption_align = center

| image1   = Perseverance's first photo.jpg
| caption1 = First image taken by the rover after its successful landing

| image2   = Mars Perseverance Rear Right Hazard Avoidance Camera (Hazcam).png
| caption2 = Second ''Perseverance'' rover image on Mars

| image3   = Perseverance's First Full-Color Look at Mars.png
| caption3 = First color image from ''Perseverance'' rover after landing
}}

[[File:PIA24422-c1-3000-MarsPerseveranceRover-LandingSiteView-20210218.jpg|thumb|center|800px|<div align="center">Mars ''Perseverance'' rover – Panoramic view of landing site (18 February 2021)</div>]]
[[File:PIA24625-MarsIngenuityHelicopterViewsPerseveranceRoverFromAir-20210425a.jpg|thumb|center|800px|<div align="center">The [[Engineering:Ingenuity (helicopter)|''Ingenuity'' helicopter]] views the ''Perseverance'' rover (left) about {{cvt|85|m}} away from {{cvt|5.0|m}} in the air (25 April 2021)</div>]]
[[File:Map of Perseverance's Delta Top Campaign.jpg|thumb|800px|center|<div align="center">Mars ''Perseverance'' rover – Possible route for exploration and study</div>]]

{{multiple images
| header    =''Ingenuity'' helicopter
| align     = center
| direction = horizontal
| width     = 
| perrow    = 3

| image1    = Ingenuity Helicopter with fully deployed legs (cropped).png
| caption1  = ''Ingenuity'' being deployed from under ''Persevervence''
| width1    = 250

| image2    = Mars_helicopter_on_sol_46.png
| caption2  = The deployed ''Ingenuity'' on Sol 46
| width2    = 172

| image3    = Ingenuity's First Black-and-White Image From the Air.jpg
| caption3  = Black-and-white photo from ''Ingenuity'' during its first test flight at an altitude of {{cvt|1.2|m}}, showing its shadow on the ground
| width3    = 228

| image4    = 1st aerial image on mars taken by Ingenuity.jpg
| caption4  = First color aerial image on Mars taken by ''Ingenuity'', at around {{cvt|5.2|m}} high in flight
| width4    = 300

| image5    = NASA's Perseverance Captures Video, Audio of Fourth Ingenuity Flight.webm
| caption5  = <div style="text-align:center">[[:File:NASA's Perseverance Captures Video, Audio of Fourth Ingenuity Flight.webm|''Perseverance'' captures video, audio of fourth ''Ingenuity'' flight<br />(video; 02:44; 30 April 2021)]]</div>
| width5    = 200

| image6    = PIA24649-MarsIngenuityHelicopter-FifthFlightLanding-20210507.gif
| caption6  = ''Ingenuity'' after its fifth flight landing on Airfield B (7 May 2021)
| with      = 200
}}
{{multipleimage 
| header = Entry-descent-landing debris
|footer = ''Ingenuity'' photographed the spacecraft backshell and parachute (April 19).<ref name="NYT-20220427">{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=NASA Sees 'Otherworldly' Wreckage on Mars With Ingenuity Helicopter - The debris was part of the equipment that helped the Perseverance mission safely land on the red planet in 2021. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/27/science/nasa-mars-wreckage-photo.html |date=27 April 2022 |work={{wipe|The New York Times}} |accessdate=28 April 2022 }}</ref>
| align = center
| caption_align = center
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 1100
| image1 = PIA25219-MarsIngenuityHelicopter-Backshell-20220419.jpg
| image2 = PIA25218-MarsIngenuityHelicopter-LandingGear-20220419.jpg
| image3 = PIA25217-MarsIngenuityHelicopter-LandingGear-20220419.jpg
|image4=EDL hardware debris captured by Ingenuity.gif
|width4=100

}}
{{multipleimage 
|caption5 = ''Ingenuity'' photographed an apparent EDL debris (April 3).
|footer=Perseverance photographed a thermal blanket from the skycrane {{cvt|2|km}} away from its crash site.
|caption1=Perseverance photographed the spacecraft backshell and parachute (April 14).
| align = center
| caption_align = center
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 1100
|image1=Mars 2020 EDL backshell and parachute.png
|image2=A Skycrane Thermal Blanket found 2km away from Skycrane crash site.png
|image3=A Skycrane Thermal Blanket found 2km away from Skycrane crash site in jezero crater.png
| image5= Skycrane captured by Ingenuity Helicopter 02.jpg
}}
{{multiple images
| header    = ''Perseverance Rover'' instruments
| align     = center
| direction = horizontal
| perrow    = 3
| image1    = MOXIE first martian oxygen production test graph.jpg
| caption1  = Graph of MOXIE's first martian oxygen production test, 20 April 2021
| width     = 250
}}

== Cost ==
NASA plans to expend roughly US$2.8 billion on the Mars 2020 mission over 10 years: almost US$2.2 billion on the development of the [[Engineering:Perseverance (rover)|''Perseverance'']] rover, US$80 million on the [[Engineering:Ingenuity (helicopter)|''Ingenuity'']] helicopter, US$243 million for launch services, and US$296 million for 2.5 years of mission operations.<ref name="cost">{{cite web|title=Mars 2020 Landing Press Kit |url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press_kits/mars_2020/download/mars_2020_landing_press_kit.pdf|website=JPL|publisher=NASA|access-date=17 February 2021|page=15}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cost of Perseverance|url=https://www.planetary.org/space-policy/cost-of-perseverance|website=The Planetary Society}}</ref> Adjusted for inflation, Mars 2020 is the sixth-most expensive robotic planetary mission made by NASA and is cheaper than its predecessor, the [[Engineering:Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'']] rover.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Cost of Perseverance, in Context|last=Dreier|first=Casey|date=29 July 2020 |url=https://www.planetary.org/articles/cost-of-perseverance-in-context|publisher=The Planetary Society}}</ref> As well as using spare hardware, ''Perseverance'' also used designs from ''Curiosity'''s mission without needing to redesign them, which helped save "probably tens of millions, if not 100 million dollars" according to Mars 2020 Deputy Chief Engineer Keith Comeaux.<ref>{{cite web|title=Answering Your (Mars 2020) Questions: Perseverance versus Curiosity Rover Hardware|url=https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/stories/blog/37151|website=techbriefs.com|date=19 June 2020 |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref>

== Public outreach ==
To raise public awareness of the Mars 2020 mission, NASA undertook a "Send Your Name To Mars" campaign, through which people could send their names to Mars on a microchip stored aboard ''Perseverance''. After registering their names, participants received a digital ticket with details of the mission's launch and destination. There were 10,932,295 names submitted during the registration period.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mars.nasa.gov/participate/send-your-name/mars2020/|title=Send Your Name to Mars: Mars 2020|website=mars.nasa.gov|access-date=12 February 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> In addition, NASA announced in June 2019 that a student naming contest for the rover would be held in the fall of 2019, with voting on nine finalist names held in January 2020.<ref name="NASA-20200121">{{cite news|last1=Agle|first1=D.C. |last2=Hautaluoma|first2=Grwy|last3=Johnson|first3=Alana|title=Nine Finalists Chosen in NASA's Mars 2020 Rover Naming Contest|url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7578|date=21 January 2020 |publisher=NASA|access-date=21 January 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> ''Perseverance'' was announced to be the winning name on 5 March 2020.<ref name="NASA-20200305">{{cite news|last1=Hautaluoma|first1=Grey |last2=Johnsom|first2=Alana|last3=Agle|first3=DC|title=Virginia Middle School Student Earns Honor of Naming NASA's Next Mars Rover "Perseverance"|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/virginia-middle-school-student-earns-honor-of-naming-nasas-next-mars-rover|date=5 March 2020|publisher=NASA|access-date=5 March 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="NYT-20200305">{{cite news|last=Chang|first=Kenneth|title=NASA's Mars 2020 Rover Gets New, Official Name: Perseverance – The robotic explorer is to join ''Curiosity'' on the red planet next year, and is expected to get more rolling companions built by China, Europe and Russia. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/science/mars-2020-rover-name.html|date=5 March 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=6 March 2020}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="175">
File:8634 PIA23769-16.jpg|"Send Your Name" placard attached to ''Perseverance''
File:BoardingPass MyNameOnMars Mars2020.png|Sample souvenir boarding pass for those who registered their names to be flown aboard the ''Perseverance'' rover 
File:NASA Virtual guest program 06.png|NASA [[Company:Eventbrite|Eventbrite]] Virtual Guest Program Post flight mission patch given to Eventbrite subscribers
</gallery>

In May 2020, NASA attached a small aluminum plate to ''Perseverance'' to commemorate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and pay "tribute to the perseverance of healthcare workers around the world". The COVID-19 Perseverance Plate features planet Earth above the [[Rod of Asclepius]], with a line showing the trajectory of the Mars 2020 spacecraft departing Earth.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/the-launch-is-approaching-for-nasas-next-mars-rover-perseverance|title=The Launch Is Approaching for NASA's Next Mars Rover, Perseverance|date=17 June 2020|publisher=NASA |url-status=live|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617210249/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/the-launch-is-approaching-for-nasas-next-mars-rover-perseverance}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
[[File:Mars Perseverance Rover Parachute Deployed.png|thumb|The supersonic parachute that helped decelerate ''Perseverance'' carried an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]] along with it.]]
On 22 February 2021, NASA released uninterrupted footage of the landing process of Mars 2020 from parachute deployment to touchdown in a [[Live streaming|livestream]] broadcast.<ref>{{Citation |title=See Mars Like Never Before! NASA's Perseverance Rover Sends New Video and Images of the Red Planet |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYQwuYZbA6o |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en}}</ref> Upon release of this footage, engineers revealed that the rover's parachute contained a puzzle; Internet users had solved it within six hours. The parachute's pattern was based on [[Binary code|binary code]] and translated to the motto of JPL (Dare Mighty Things) and the coordinates of its headquarters. Irregular patterns are frequently used on spacecraft parachutes to better determine the performance of specific parts of the parachute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strickland |first=Ashley |date=2021-02-24 |title=The inspiring hidden message in the Mars Perseverance rover's parachute |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/24/world/mars-perseverance-parachute-code-scn-trnd/index.html |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

A small piece of the wing covering from the [[Biography:Wright brothers|Wright brothers]]' 1903 ''[[Engineering:Wright Flyer|Wright Flyer]]'' is attached to a cable underneath ''Ingenuity''{{'}}s solar panel.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Potter|first1=Sean|date=23 May 2021|title=NASA Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Prepares for First Flight|publisher=NASA|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-prepares-for-first-flight}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

NASA scientist Swati Mohan delivered the news of the successful landing.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaur|first=Harmeet|date=19 February 2021|title=The face of the Perseverance landing was an Indian American woman |publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/world/swati-mohan-nasa-perseverance-landing-scn-trnd/index.html|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Astronomy:ExoMars|ExoMars]], European-Russian Mars exploration program
* [[Astronomy:Exploration of Mars|Exploration of Mars]]
* [[Astronomy:List of missions to Mars|List of missions to Mars]]
* [[Astronomy:Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher|Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher]]
{{NoteFoot}}

== References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
* {{official|http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/ }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190612114112/https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/where-is-the-rover/ Mars 2020: Assembly – Overall description] (NASA)
* [http://mars.nasa.gov/files/m2020/Mars2020FAQs.pdf Mars 2020: Science Definition Team Report] (NASA)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190522184747/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-invites-public-to-submit-names-to-fly-aboard-next-mars-rover/ Mars 2020: Send Your Name To Mars]
* [https://Go.nasa.gov/name2020 Mars 2020: Vote for the Name of the Rover]
* [https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/orrery/#/home Mars 2020: NASA Eyes-on-the-Solar-System]

; Video
* [https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/timeline/landing/ Mars 2020: LANDING of Rover (3:55pm/et/usa, 18 February 2021]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRrFRL5v0ig Video: Mars ''Perseverance'' rover/''Ingenuity'' helicopter report] [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mars-ingenuity-helicopter-perseverance-rover-60-minutes-2021-05-09/ (9 May 2021; CBS-TV, 60 Minutes; 13:33)]

{{Features and artificial objects on Mars}}
{{Mars 2020}}
{{Astrobiology}}
{{Mars spacecraft}}
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{{Solar System probes}}
{{2020 in space}}

[[Category:Mars Exploration Program]]
[[Category:Astrobiology space missions]]
[[Category:Missions to Mars]]

{{Sourceattribution|Mars 2020}}