The World wants to learn more about the red planet Mars. NASA has a head start over others with its robots that are working to a plan. Their targets are specific areas, namely the top of the surface, below the surface, and above the surface. Curiosity arrived first in 2012 and began exploring the mountainous terrain. It has been there for nearly nine years and has kept sending back images. Then came InSight in 2018 – its task was to dig below the surface. The third is Perseverance, the latest arrival. It has a helicopter to capture aerial images.

NASA is working on a plan. It wants to study all aspects before any human-crewed mission. In April 2019, the American Space Agency indicated its tentative schedule of the Moon landing by 2024 and sending astronauts to Mars by 2033.

New York Times says Perseverance's journey to Mars extends the US's record to six safe landings on the planet. This mission of NASA is to study the possibilities of the presence of lifeforms on Mars. Perseverance is a $2.7 billion robotic explorer. It is equipped with a wide range of equipment to assist in searching for life beyond our planet.

Mars is a dream destination for NASA

The topography of Mars, as revealed through images from various sources, resembles dried-up riverbeds.

It could mean a planet that might have hosted lifeforms. There are giant canyons, winding river channels, and indications of dried-up lakes. Scientists concluded there was water on the red planet, but it is now cold and dry. Incidentally, Perseverance of NASA is the third to arrive at Mars after Hope from the United Arab Emirates and Tianwen-1 from China.

The ones of the UAE and China are in orbit around the red planet. There is one thing common to all three – they depend on Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and Renewable Energy. New York Times explains the reason behind selecting the Jezero Crater as the destination for NASA. The program of this robot is to explore the delta-like region.

Scientists presume it is the delta of a river. It once flowed into a lake that filled the crater. There are piles of sediments, and these hold promises. The team behind the mission is hopeful of laying hands on evidence related to life on Mars. It could be fossil chemical signatures of ancient Martian microbes.

Curiosity and Perseverance will be invaluable for a mission to Mars

The design of Perseverance is more or less the same as the Curiosity rover. This robot landed on Mars in 2012 and is now studying the Gale Crater. New York Times adds Perseverance carries a different set of instruments. That is understandable because more advanced tools are available today. The present robot has sophisticated cameras.

Its lasers can analyze the chemical makeup of rocks. There is also ground-penetrating radar. These have undergone tests on Earth. Another part of the mission is to collect rock and dirt samples for study on Earth. Curiosity had captured images of Mars, and Perseverance will record sound bites.

Perseverance has arrived safely on Mars

According to The BBC, Perseverance landed safely on Mars in the designated landing zone. The spot resembles a delta of a possible ancient dried upriver. NASA expects to release images of the rover and its surroundings. It was a commendable feat for those associated with the mission. An official says - "For the first time, we're going to see ourselves in high-definition video landing on another planet." Swati Mohan confirmed to a section of the media – "We are actually on Mars.

This is not a practice run. This is the real thing." She is the guidance, navigation, and controls GNC operations lead on the project. NASA plans to conduct a helicopter experiment. Perseverance has a mini-chopper. It will try to carry out the first powered flight in another world.
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