Watch live as the NASA Perseverance Mars Rover, which took off from Earth on its historic mission on July 30, 2020, makes its descent on Mars today, February 18, 2021, at around 3:55 PM EST/12:55 PM PST.
UPDATE: TOUCHDOWN! Nasa has just confirmed that the Perseverance Rover has safely landed on Mars at 3:56 EST. Be sure to check out the first two pictures of Mars sent to Earth by the rover below, right under the live video.
Here are the first pictures the rover took after landing:
Please note that these were taken by the engineering cameras which are used to navigate the terrain. Color photos will come later.
From NASA:
Watch an epic journey unfold on Thursday, Feb. 18 as our Perseverance rover lands on Mars. To reach the surface of the Red Planet, the rover has to survive the harrowing final phase known as Entry, Descent, and Landing.
Only then can the rover – the biggest, heaviest, cleanest, and most sophisticated six-wheeled robot ever launched into space – search Jezero Crater for signs of ancient life and collect samples that will eventually be returned to Earth.
Tune in to a live video feed of key landing activities and commentary from Mission Control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Bonus: Here are a few fun facts about the Mars Perseverance Rover, courtesy of The Oatmeal!
[NASA]