Konstantin Sukharnikov Scientific instrumentation

A hobby. An independent overview compiled from public sources by a science and space enthusiast. I am not involved in these missions or facilities; my own work is detector electronics at European XFEL. My projects →

Mission · Mars

Mars 2020 Perseverance

Rover

Status
Extended mission
Launched
30 Jul 2020
Target
Mars, Jezero crater and its rim
Agencies
NASA, JPL
Next
No key dates; work continues on the rim of Jezero crater

Summary

NASA's Mars rover, searching for signs of ancient life and collecting samples for a future return to Earth. It has been working since February 2021.

Now as of 3 Nov 2026

On 11 October 2026 it set the record for distance driven on another world: the odometer read 45.22 km, passing Opportunity (45.16 km). The record day was a 91.31 m drive (NASA blog, Planetary Society). Its radioisotope power source is working normally and should last many more years (DD India / Reuters). The future of the Mars Sample Return programme remains uncertain.

Key dates

  1. 30 Jul 2020Launch (Atlas V)done
  2. 18 Feb 2021Landing in Jezero craterdone
  3. 14 Jun 2026Marathon distance reached (42.195 km)done
  4. 11 Oct 2026Distance record: 45.22 kmdone

Timeline

  1. 11 Oct 2026Record for off-world driving — NASA
  2. 14 Jun 2026Marathon distance — Universe Magazine