If it lands, the rover – and a helicopter named Ingenuity that will undertake the first ever flight on another planet – will get to work exploring Mars in search of clues about its ancient past. That will include attempting to understand whether the planet was ever habitable, and scouring for clues of past life on its surface.
But if Perseverance’s landing fails, it will join a number of missions that have been unable to successfully touch down on the Martian surface, foiled by its lack of atmosphere and inhospitable conditions.
All of that will be decided during a perilous entry, descent and landing process that will see it hurtle through the atmosphere, slow down to a safe speed, and then use a highly-advanced “Terrain Relative Navigation” system that will allow it to adjust where it lands to ensure it can safely drop down onto the surface.
That is scheduled to happen around 3.55pm eastern time, or 8.55pm in the UK, though mission controllers will be giving detailed and live updates before and after Perseverance arrives at its new home.
Landing watched around the world
The landing was watched across Earth – including by Macron at the French National Center for Space Studies, and in a fairly deserted Leicester Square.
(Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Andrew Griffin18 February 2021 21:20
Second image arrives
And another picture! Here it is.
(Again, it’s not the best picture. But it’s not only not the best camera, but also the fact that it was taken just moments after arrival, when the rover was still sitting in the dust.)
(Nasa)
Andrew Griffin18 February 2021 21:02
Rover sends back first image
It’s not much, but here’s the picture that the rover has sent back.
(Nasa)
This comes from the engineering or hazard camera, which is used to ensure the rover is able to move around safely. That’s part of the reason why it’s not the most detailed picture – but it’s still fairly thrilling.
Andrew Griffin18 February 2021 21:00
Mission control erupts in joy
Emotions are high at mission control, with the team “besides themselves” as the spacecraft makes its safe touchdown.
Andrew Griffin18 February 2021 20:57
TOUCHDOWN
Perseverance has touched down safely on Mars!
Andrew Griffin18 February 2021 20:57
Perseverance loses contact with Earth
Those tones have gone. (As expected; nothing to worry about.)
Andrew Griffin18 February 2021 20:56
Perseverance gets radar lock on the ground
The spacecraft can now see the ground through radar, which it will use to ensure that it lands safely.
Andrew Griffin18 February 2021 20:55
