NASA’s Perseverance and ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rovers have the scientific goal of searching for evidence of ancient life on Mars. Geochemical biosignatures that form because of microbe-mineral interactions could play […]
NASA Perseverance rover
Posted inExploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Mars Astrobiology Rover Perseverance’s Sample Depot Portrait
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover captured this portrait of its recently completed sample depot using its Mastcam-Z camera on Jan. 31, 2023, the 693rd Martian day, or sol, of the mission. […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Microbialites On The Shore Of Lake Salda In Turkey
The rocks seen here along the shoreline of Lake Salda in Turkey were formed over time by microbes that trap minerals and sediments in the water. These so-called microbialites were […]
Posted inExploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Dusty Work Space Atop A Martian Astrobiology Droid
NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam). The camera is located high on the rover’s mast and aids in driving.
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Confirmation Of An Ancient Lake On Mars Builds Excitement For Perseverance Rover’s Samples
If life ever existed on Mars, the Perseverance rover’s verification of lake sediments at the base of the Jezero crater reinforces the hope that traces might be found in the […]
Posted inImaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report
SHERLOC Dust Cover Issues On Mars Perseverance Astrobiology Rover
Engineers are working to stabilize a dust cover on one of the science instrument’s cameras.
Posted inImaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Mars Perseverance Rover Image of the Week – Week 156 (Feb. 4 – 10, 2024)
This photo was selected by public vote and featured as “Image of the Week” for Week 156 (Feb. 4 – 10, 2024) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
A Thousand Days Of Astrobiology Research Travel By The Mars Perseverance Rover
A key objective for Perseverance’s mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
A Map of Astrobiology Rover Perseverance’s Depot Samples
A key objective for Perseverance’s mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Cored Samples Aboard Mars Perseverance At Sol 1,000
Shown here is an annotated representation of the 13 sample tubes containing rock-core samples that are being carried aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover as of Dec. 12, 2023, when the mission […]