science.nasa.gov Origins Uncertain: ‘Skull Hill’ Rock - NASA Science
Written by Margaret Deahn, Ph.D. Student at Purdue University
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Mars Guy - Episode 211 - Mars Sample Depot Reconsidered
It may seem crazy to drop precious Mars samples in the dirt in order to ensure mission success, but this was part of a very rational plan. Now with the evolving architecture of Mars sample return, that plan is being reconsidered.
From what I hear from insiders it's not a pretty picture. Staff cuts have had a huge impact on the Mars missions, it's surprising some outreach functions are still working. The MSL raw image server is very fragile recently and goes down on a frequent basis. I have nothing but praise for those remaining staff for doing their best for holding what's left together. The redesign of the mission pages was a disaster, but there's no going back on that by the looks of things. I'm expecting what's left to deteriorate further if additional cuts are made. Watch this space
1479 - New abrasion patch on Mars
A close up of the latest abrasion patch on Mars. The diameter of the patch is ~5cm (2 inches). Perseverance rover acquired this image using its SHERLOC WATSON camera, located on the turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm.
This image was acquired on April 18, 2025 (Sol 1479) at the local mean solar time of 12:54:46.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Origins Uncertain: ‘Skull Hill’ Rock - Team Blog
1478 - Drive to the Northwest (details in body of this post)
Post-drive tiled-navigation camera image Sol 1478 (April 17. 2025). NASA/JPL-Caltech
Data
Map
And they just bumped up to a new workspace... (1078) :) Arm work to follow :)
STRATEGIC APPROACH AND FIRST RESULTS FROM THE JEZERO CRATER RIM CAMPAIGN.
Map : Headed back to a region previously explored
1477 - Long drive (92.55 meters / 303.65 ft - north-northeast)
Pity that it's not an automatic process, but it seems that it's a rather complex process that has to be adjusted for each batch of images. However the MastCam-Z team at MSSS do a great job of keeping up with the huge numbers of images gathered
What is up with the colour
I'm assuming you're referring to the overall image quality?
If so it's a raw image (calibrated) Here's an earlier image of an abrasion bit inspection that has been calibrated by the MastCam-Z team (Sol 1447)
It is an imprint of the abrasion tool that grinds away the weathered surface of rocks so the chemistry of the rock can be measured with the rovers instruments
1473 - A new abrasion patch on Mars
A new 5cm diameter abrasion patch imaged with the SHERLOC WATSON camera from different distances. We can see some chipping of the target in the second image. Hopefully the fragile rock won't cause issues if they decide to attempt to core here. The images were acquired earlier today (April 12, 2025, Sol 1473 at site 72.0). I've stretched the contrast a little to highlight the textures. Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
1472 - Drive to the West
Attached is a roughly processed / cropped post-drive L-NavCam composite image from 6 tiles, the drive data, and screen capture of the updated mission map. The traverse distance was 14.5 meters (47.5 ft) due west. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UofA.
1471 - Lonely boulder in a sea of pebbles and sand
Right side Mast Camera (full zoom 110mm)
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS
Trove of Rocks on Crater Rim - Blog / mission update
www.nasa.gov NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover Studies Trove of Rocks on Crater Rim - NASA
The diversity of rock types along the rim of Jezero Crater offers a wide glimpse of Martian history.
1470 - Heading West-Southwest
The main image is a post drive 4-tile NavCam image acquired just after local noon. Below is the drive data extracted from JPL's M2020 JSON URL
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
1468 - Perseverance on the move (April 7, 2025)
A drive by Perseverance rover took it to site 71.696 during Sol 1468 (April 7, 2025) The attached image is one of the end-of-drive navigation camera 4-tile composite images. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
I'll post the map and JSON data in the comments of this post as soon as JPL release it
Mars Guy - Episode 209 (April 6, 2025)
Episode 209 Perseverance is a robotic field geologist equipped with a toolkit that’s better than any available to a human geologist on Earth. It uses a drill and abrading bit to get a look inside rocks, which is a great substitute for a rock hammer, except when it isn’t.
spacenews.com JAXA institute studying Mars lander concept
WASHINGTON — An institute in Japan’s space agency is pursuing a concept that could allow the agency to send small rovers to the surface of Mars. In a talk at a plenary session of the National Acade…
1463 - Another short drive
Another day, another drive for Perseverance rover. This short drive was completed during mission sol 1463 (April 1, 2025) to site number 71.160. Attached is one of the tiled end-of-drive left NavCam image. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
1461 - Very short drive (end-of-drive NavCam)
Site 71.120 - 4-tile NavCam - NASA/JPL-Caltech
They could spend months investigating just the stuff you could throw a stone at from here, but I guess they'll pack up soon and head away?
Image of the Week for Week 215 (March 23 - 29, 2025)
This photo was selected by public vote and featured as "Image of the Week" for Week 215 (March 23 - 29, 2025) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast.
This image was acquired on March 27, 2025 (Sol 1458) at the local mean solar time of 11:52:53.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
Image of the Week for Week 215 (March 23 - 29, 2025)
This photo was selected by public vote and featured as "Image of the Week" for Week 215 (March 23 - 29, 2025) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast.
This image was acquired on March 27, 2025 (Sol 1458) at the local mean solar time of 11:52:53.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System - Mission Update
science.nasa.gov Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System - NASA Science
Written by Roger Wiens, Principal Investigator, SuperCam instrument / Co-Investigator, SHERLOC instrument at Purdue University
Europe’s first rover to be sent to another planet is back on track to reach Mars, with the lander that will deposit it on the surface lined up to be built in the UK.
www.theguardian.com Europe’s first Mars rover will have UK-built lander
Airbus also built the Rosalind Franklin rover, due to launch in 2028 to search for signs of past life
There are a few places that come close (Desert areas), but no exact matches. Here are a few that come close
https://www.bbcearth.com/news/the-places-where-you-can-visit-mars-on-earth
I used to own a small collection of pebbles that I'd gathered on my travels, each triggered fond memories of places visited. But all were left at my old place when I moved. For whatever reason I failed to start a new collection since moving. You're right, I am drawn to the polished cobbles, some of them remind me of desert varnish. However if I could only pick one to place on my desk, then it would have be one of the small iron meteorites that have been spotted by the rovers. There are some nice SuperCam's of this target, but my poor processing skills of those raw images don't add any value
It's almost like the DSN is teasing us :)
Can't wait to see the close-ups :)
3rd times a charm?
instead of a royalty free cinema-psychology-emotion-symphony track.
Here an good voice over with some cool observations etc... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMd2A1Wljfc
I hope that we'll get all that raw data soon
It would seem bigger, but this is imaged with a wide angle lens. The lander has a lot more cameras, I'm sure we'll get some better shots of Earth and a nice panorama of the lander's surroundings in the coming days It's mission will only last 60 days, so they have a lot to do in a short time.
I really admired and miss that guy.
MSR is expected to have up to 2 Ingenuity class helicopters. Each will be equipped with small wheels on each landing leg (for driving up to sample tubes) and have a small robotic arm (to pick up sample tubes)