NASA JPL Perseverance — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | NASA JPL |
|---|---|
| Model | Perseverance |
| Year | 2021 |
| Category | Space |
| Autonomy | fully-autonomous |
| Environment | outdoor |
| Weight | 1025 kg |
| Dimensions | 300cm L × 270cm W × 220cm H |
| Connectivity | Remote Control |
| Country of origin | US |
Key features
- Mars astrobiology research mission
- 7 onboard scientific instruments
- Sample caching for Earth return
- Deployed Ingenuity helicopter
- Nuclear MMRTG power source
- 3-metre, 1,025 kg rover
- $2.7 billion mission
What is it?
NASA Perseverance is the most advanced Mars rover ever built, conducting astrobiology research in Jezero Crater and collecting samples for Earth return while testing Mars human exploration technologies.
Who is it for?
Perseverance is a NASA government mission asset operated by JPL scientists and engineers. Its findings benefit the global scientific community studying Mars habitability and potential past life.
Key specs
- Weight: 1,025 kg
- Length: 3 metres
- Speed: up to 4.2 cm/s
- Instruments: 7 scientific systems
- Power: nuclear MMRTG
- Mission cost: $2.7 billion
How it compares
Vs Curiosity: Perseverance adds an astrobiology focus, sample caching for Earth return, MOXIE oxygen production experiment, and deployed the Ingenuity helicopter. Curiosity established the rover architecture that Perseverance refined.
Limitations
- 20-minute one-way communication delay to Mars limits real-time control
- Maximum speed of 4.2 cm/s — not designed for speed
- Nuclear power source requires strict handling and regulatory approvals during launch
- Single mission asset — irreplaceable if damaged
FAQ
How much did NASA Perseverance cost?
Perseverance is a NASA mission asset — not for sale. The mission cost approximately $2.7 billion USD including launch.
What is NASA Perseverance doing on Mars?
Perseverance is NASA's most advanced Mars rover, collecting rock and soil samples for eventual return to Earth, searching for signs of ancient microbial life, and testing technologies for future human Mars exploration.
What are the key specs of Perseverance?
Perseverance is 3 metres long, weighs 1,025 kg, travels at up to 4.2 cm/s, carries 7 scientific instruments, powers itself with a nuclear MMRTG power source, and communicates via Deep Space Network relay.
When and where did Perseverance land?
Perseverance landed in Jezero Crater on Mars on 18 February 2021 as part of NASA's Mars 2020 mission, designed to answer whether Mars ever hosted ancient microbial life.
What is Ingenuity and how does it relate to Perseverance?
Perseverance deployed Ingenuity — a small robotic helicopter — which became the first powered aircraft to fly on another planet, completing over 70 flights before losing contact in January 2024.