NASA’s Mars rovers Perseverance and Curiosity, overcoming challenges on Mars, continue their missions to explore the Red Planet. Although Perseverance and Curiosity are a considerable distance apart, both face many challenges.
Perseverance has gone on its fifth science campaign to explore the western edge of Jezero Crater. This is an important milestone in its mission, as the crater was likely the site of ancient hydrothermal activity. However, the way to this site was not easy: the rover overcomes steep slopes and slippery surfaces that slow it down. Once, Perseverance only traveled 20% of its planned route due to unpredictably slippery ground.
The team that leads Perseverance from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is developing various strategies to make the journey easier. They are, among other things, testing a backtracking method that allows the rover’s suspension to better grip the surface. To minimize slipping, Perseverance went to the north side of the crater, where the harder surface helps it move more steadily up the difficult terrain.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Mars, Curiosity, Perseverance’s predecessor, has also run into difficulties. While exploring the Gediz Vallis Canal at the foot of Mount Sharp, Curiosity encountered excessive strain on its suspension when one of its wheels ended in a trough and the other caught on a rock. This caused the rover’s movement to be suspended, and the team focused on remote observations, planning how to break free from the trap.
My journey to the rim of Jezero Crater has been a challenging one.
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) October 17, 2024
As you can see in this image from my rear Hazcam, I’m dealing with some steep and slippery terrain. But thanks to my team and autonomous navigation system, I'm avoiding any big hazards as I slowly make my way up. pic.twitter.com/zlZRqeTPWM
Gediz Vallis, where Curiosity is now located, is an ancient Martian channel likely formed by liquid water or other natural processes. Exploring this site allows scientists to better understand how the landscape was formed on Mars: whether it was caused by river flows, dry landslides, or wind. The channel may hold clues about climate change on the planet and suggests that water on Mars appeared periodically, disappearing in stages rather than gradually.
Despite the harsh conditions on Mars, both rovers continue their missions, collecting valuable data that brings us closer to solving the mysteries of the Red Planet. Perseverance and Curiosity demonstrate how technology and the hard work of explorers can withstand even the harshest conditions of space.
We previously reported that Curiosity and Perseverance were unable to detect life on Mars.
Provided by gizmodo.com
