NASA states that Perseverance will face some of the most difficult terrain on its journey, with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet expected by the end of the year.
During its journey, Perseverance will analyze Martian terrain and compare rocks at crater rims with those on the Martian surface and in previously explored areas. These comparisons will provide insights into the planet’s topography and geological history.
Upon reaching the summit, the rover will focus on two areas: “Pico Turquino” and “Witch Hazel Hill.”
Images from orbit suggest that Pico Turquino may contain remnants of an ancient Martian hydrothermal system, indicating possible past conditions suitable for microbial life. Witch Hazel Hill will be explored for rock layers revealing clues about Mars’ climate over billions of years.
Eleni Lavanis, a doctoral student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a science leader on the Crater Rim campaign, believes these discoveries will enhance understanding of Mars’ geological evolution.
“Studying Mars’ oldest crustal rocks will provide valuable insights into ancient, potentially habitable environments that have not been thoroughly explored before,” Lavanis said. NASA’s statement
Launched on July 30, 2020, Perseverance landed on Mars on February 18, 2021. This mission is the initial phase of the Mars Sample Return Campaign, a collaborative effort between NASA and the European Space Agency. Future plans include a follow-up mission to retrieve and return samples collected by Perseverance to Earth.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
