NASA's Perseverance rover drives for first time on Mars; touchdown named Octavia E. Butler

US ncy NASA's Perseverance rover took its first drive on Mars and covered 21.3 feet (6.5 meters ) across Martian Landscape. On March 4 drive was performed and served as mobility test that marks just one of many milestones as team members check out and calibrate every system, subsystem and instrument on Perseverance.  drive lasted about 33 minutes, propelled rover forward 13 feet (4 meters), where it n turned in place 150 degrees to left and backed up 8 feet (2.5 meters) into its new temporary parking , as per NASA's press release.

Touchdown Site Named

location where Perseverance rover drives on MARS w bear name Octavia E. Butler Landing. It is named after mane of a science fiction author Octavia E. Butler.

According to NASA's statement, Once rover begins pursuing its science goals, regular commutes extending 656 feet (200 metres) or more are expected.

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Anais Zarifian, Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mobility testbed engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Sourn California said that when it comes to wheeled vehicles on or planets, re are few first-time events that measure up in significance to that of first drive.

“This was our first chance to 'kick tires’ and take Perseverance out for a spin. rover’s six-wheel-drive responded superbly. We are w confident our drive system is good to go, capable of taking us wherever science leads us over next two years," he added

Engineers used Perseverance’s Navigation and Hazard Avoidance Cameras to im spot where Perseverance touched down, dispersing Martian dust with plumes from its engines, in order to help better understand dynamics of a retrorocket landing on Red Planet. 

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As per statement t only  rover’s mobility system is t only thing getting a test drive during this period of initial checkouts. Since landing, mission controllers completed a software update, replacing computer program that helped land Perseverance with one y will rely on to investigate planet.

Robert Hogg, Mars 2020 Perseverance rover deputy mission manr said that Tuesday’s first test of robotic arm was a big moment for us.

“That’s main tool science team will use to do a close-up examination of geologic features of Jezero Crater, and n we’ll drill and sample ones y find most interesting. When we got confirmation of robotic arm flexing its muscles, including ims of it working beautifully after its long trip to Mars, well, it made my day," he added.

NASA's Perseverance Lands On Mars

Perseverance rover, largest and most advanced robot sent by any country to ar planet, reached Mars after travelling through for more than 200 days. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Sourn California anunced confirmation of successful touchdown. probe was launched on July 30 during crucial small window that opened for launch to Mars last year. 

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(With ANI Inputs)