Technology
Perseverance rover drives record 45.2 km on Mars
The Hindu BusinessLine··4d ago
NASA said Perseverance has driven 45.2 km on Mars, passing Opportunity's distance record for any vehicle beyond Earth. The rover hit the mark on Sunday toward Idubi through Lac de Charmes on Jezero Crater's western rim. Curiosity has driven 38.15 km since landing in 2012. JPL's Steven Lee said systems could run well into the 2030s.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Perseverance passed the mark Opportunity set between 2004 and 2018.
- Both Mars rovers also beat driving distances of any rover that operated on the Moon.
- Lee said engineering hardware and instruments remain in excellent shape.
What's Happening
- The car-sized rover is searching for evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars.
- It is surveying ancient terrain off Jezero Crater's western rim.
- Curiosity continues operating in Gale Crater near the Martian equator.
What The Mileage Means
- NASA announced the 28.1-mile (45.2 km) milestone via reports carried by BusinessLine.
- Perseverance landed roughly five and a half years before the record drive.
- Times of India also reported the Opportunity record being overtaken.
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