Mars rover sets new driving record on surface of another world
Summary
NASA's Perseverance rover has driven 28.1 miles on Mars, setting a new record for the longest distance traveled by any vehicle on another planet. The rover uses a self-driving system to explore Mars' Jezero Crater, where scientists study ancient environments that might have supported microbial life.Key Facts
- Perseverance rover landed on Mars in February 2021.
- It recently drove 28.1 miles, beating the previous record of 28.06 miles held by the Opportunity rover.
- The rover explores the Jezero Crater, believed to have some of the oldest planetary terrain.
- Scientists are looking for signs of past water activity and possible ancient microbial life.
- Perseverance uses an autonomous navigation system called AutoNav to map terrain and plan routes.
- The rover can drive up to 1,351 feet per Martian day (called a sol).
- The mission was extended to continue exploring Jezero Crater until the end of 2028.
- This technology allows the rover to "think while driving," increasing its range compared to past rovers.
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