NASA's Perseverance Rover Nears Key Milestone on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover is nearing a key milestone as engineers certify it for an extensive journey on Mars. The rover, which landed inside the Jezero Crater in February 2021, is in excellent health according to Steve Lee, Perseverance's deputy project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

It has successfully traveled about 25 miles, double its original mobility certification, and is expected to operate until at least 2031. The rover's power source is based on radioactive plutonium, ensuring it won't run out of electricity anytime soon.

Meanwhile, plans for a Mars Sample Return mission remain uncertain as costs have ballooned to $11 billion, pushing potential launch dates into the 2030s. As Perseverance continues its mission, it plays a crucial role in the search for signs of past life on the planet.