Mars Exploration Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Updated 1538 GMT (2338 HKT) August 2, 2021

The Perseverance rover successfully collected two samples from a Martian rock, nicknamed "Rochette." The rover drilled the hole on the left, called "Montagnac," on September 7, and the hole on the right, known as "Montdenier," on September 1.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
The Perseverance rover successfully collected two samples from a Martian rock, nicknamed "Rochette." The rover drilled the hole on the left, called "Montagnac," on September 7, and the hole on the right, known as "Montdenier," on September 1.
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NASA's Perseverance rover took a selfie on Mars with <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/07/world/mars-perseverance-rover-helicopter-picture-scn-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">the Ingenuity helicopter</a> on Tuesday, April 6. The 4-pound helicopter is sitting about 13 feet away from the rover.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover took a selfie on Mars with the Ingenuity helicopter on Tuesday, April 6. The 4-pound helicopter is sitting about 13 feet away from the rover.
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NASA's Perseverance Mars rover used its dual-camera Mastcam-Z imager to capture this image of "Santa Cruz," a hill about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) away from the rover, on April 29, 2021, the 68th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The entire scene is inside of Mars' Jezero Crater; the crater's rim can be seen on the horizon line beyond the hill.This scene is not white balanced; instead, it is displayed in a preliminary calibrated version of a natural-color composite, approximately simulating the colors of the scene as it would appear to a person on Mars. An enhanced color version is also included.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover used its dual-camera Mastcam-Z imager to capture this image of "Santa Cruz," a hill about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) away from the rover, on April 29, 2021, the 68th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The entire scene is inside of Mars' Jezero Crater; the crater's rim can be seen on the horizon line beyond the hill.This scene is not white balanced; instead, it is displayed in a preliminary calibrated version of a natural-color composite, approximately simulating the colors of the scene as it would appear to a person on Mars. An enhanced color version is also included.
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This image shows a debris shield, which protected the Ingenuity helicopter during landing. The helicopter can still be seen attached underneath the rover.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
This image shows a debris shield, which protected the Ingenuity helicopter during landing. The helicopter can still be seen attached underneath the rover.
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This image of Mars was taken during the Perseverance rover's first drive on March 4.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
This image of Mars was taken during the Perseverance rover's first drive on March 4.
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From its landing site, the rover could see a remnant of a fan-shaped deposit of sediments known as a delta (the raised area of dark brown rock in the middle ground).
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
From its landing site, the rover could see a remnant of a fan-shaped deposit of sediments known as a delta (the raised area of dark brown rock in the middle ground).
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This image of Mars' surface was taken using a camera mounted to the bottom of the rover.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
This image of Mars' surface was taken using a camera mounted to the bottom of the rover.
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This image shows the rover's wheel on the surface of the red planet.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
This image shows the rover's wheel on the surface of the red planet.
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The navigation cameras aboard NASA's Perseverance rover captured this view of the rover's deck on February 20.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
The navigation cameras aboard NASA's Perseverance rover captured this view of the rover's deck on February 20.
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This is the first color image released from Perseverance on the Martian surface. Rocks can be seen scattered around the landing site in Jezero Crater.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
This is the first color image released from Perseverance on the Martian surface. Rocks can be seen scattered around the landing site in Jezero Crater.
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The rover took this image of its parachute during its descent to Mars.
Photos: Photos from Perseverance's mission to Mars
The rover took this image of its parachute during its descent to Mars.