NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover
That shiny bit of foil is part of a thermal blanket – a material used to control temperatures. It’s a surprise finding this here: My descent stage crashed about 2 km away. Did this piece land here after that, or was it blown here by the wind?
Here’s part of the team at JPL that wrapped me up in thermal blankets. Think of them as spacecraft dressmakers. They work with sewing machines and other tools to piece together these unique materials.
More on that here: https://t.co/CNkUheYFnQ
More on that here: https://t.co/CNkUheYFnQ
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From earlier, distant views, my team nicknamed this area “the bacon strip.” (My overhead map shows why.) Now that I’m up on top, we’re calling it “Hogwallow Flats” – and the nearby rocks are a sight to behold. My team is happy as pigs in mud(stone)!
Map: https://t.co/SEbqOKoQq1
Map: https://t.co/SEbqOKoQq1
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NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover
Photo
I mean, take a look at some of these close-ups. Tons of potential targets for study. Paradise for rock nerds like myself.
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Twenty-five years ago today, a true pioneer touched down. Sojourner proved we could drive on Mars; each rover since has done true overland exploration. I’m the fifth in this line, collecting samples that could one day return to Earth and rewrite history. Onward.
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Do I geek out about cool-looking sandstone? You bet.
A shallow scouring with my drill’s abrasion bit shows this rock has veins of lighter material inside. Could it hold clues about ancient life? Time for more #SamplingMars.
More on “Yori Pass”: go.nasa.gov/3AnIv4Q
A shallow scouring with my drill’s abrasion bit shows this rock has veins of lighter material inside. Could it hold clues about ancient life? Time for more #SamplingMars.
More on “Yori Pass”: go.nasa.gov/3AnIv4Q
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It was a challenge, but we persevered. Thankful for my team back at NASA JPL, who helped me troubleshoot and successfully seal my sample tube for rock core #14. Three cheers for interplanetary teamwork! 🦾💪
See all my samples: mars.nasa.gov/mars-rock-samp…
See all my samples: mars.nasa.gov/mars-rock-samp…
Doubling up! I’ve taken a second sample of loose material from this sandy ripple. #SamplingMars this way adds a new dimension to my other rock cores. See why both engineers and scientists could learn a lot from this material: go.nasa.gov/3iJ9iCy
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Not one to brag, but this is pretty momentous. By dropping this one tube to the ground, I’ve officially started setting aside samples that Mars Sample Return could bring back to Earth someday.
Learn more: go.nasa.gov/3WzZ5qF
Learn more: go.nasa.gov/3WzZ5qF
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My second sample drop is looking good! This tube holds a piece of sedimentary rock from the edge of the ancient river delta here – the longest rock core I’ve taken to date.
More on each of my samples: mars.nasa.gov/mars-rock-samp…
More on each of my samples: mars.nasa.gov/mars-rock-samp…
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