February 18 marks one 12 months since NASA's groundbreaking Perseverance rover touched down on the floor of Mars, marking the beginning of a brand new mission to higher perceive Earth's chilly, purple planetary neighbor.

Coming almost 10 years on the heels of its predecessor Curiosity, Perseverance has made use of extra superior know-how than any rover NASA has despatched to Mars earlier than.

"We have been handed an enormous problem by NASA of designing a rover and operation system that needed to accomplish two to a few occasions as a lot as Curiosity in the identical period of time," Jennifer Trosper, Perseverance venture supervisor at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, instructed Newsweek. "The group designed, constructed and delivered a rover and operational system that's far and away essentially the most advanced, succesful, efficient and environment friendly system we have ever despatched to a different planet… a part of the check and operations occurring throughout a world pandemic.

"Over the course of 1 12 months, Perseverance doubled the variety of samples acquired—eight samples versus 4 for Curiosity—and double distance pushed at round 2.2 miles versus 1.1 miles for Curiosity."

Because of its suite of scientific devices, observational instruments and extra, Perseverance's mission has damaged and even created a lot of different data within the 12 months it has spent exploring Mars up to now. Beneath, Newsweek has compiled a couple of.

Perseverance rover selfie
Perseverance taking a selfie on Mars on April 6, 2021, with the Ingenuity helicopter within the background.NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Furthest Distance Traveled in a Day

One among Perseverance's most up-to-date data, the car-sized rover set the bar for the furthest distance ever traveled in a single day in early February—245.76 meters (806 toes).

NASA chalked the brand new report right down to Perseverance's self-driving operate. Perseverance's official Twitter account acknowledged: "Simply set a brand new Martian report of 243.3 meters, after which yesterday, one other: 245.76 meters. Locations to go, rocks to see!"

In distinction, the earlier report set by the Alternative rover was 214 meters (702 toes).

Furthest (and Solely) Distance Flown on Mars

Probably the most novel features of Perseverance's mission was to have it carry the Ingenuity helicopter to the Crimson Planet. Ingenuity was supposed as a know-how demonstration to show that flying on Mars was viable, and it has been profitable.

All in all, the little helicopter has flown round 2.2 miles over Mars' floor for a complete of round half an hour.

On February 8, Ingenuity accomplished its nineteenth flight and its first since December 15, 2021, following a delay resulting from unhealthy climate. At different occasions the helicopter has reached a report top of 12 meters (39 toes) and coated horizontal distances of 625 meters (over 2,050 toes) in a single flight.

NASA thinks helicopters like Ingenuity would possibly in the future give scientists a brand new perspective on Mars' geology and be used as robotic scouts and even carry scientific payloads.

Ingenuity helicopter
A photograph of the Ingenuity helicopter on the floor of Mars, taken by the Perseverance rover on April 8, 2021.NASA/JPL-Caltech

Most (and Solely) Oxygen Extracted From Mars' Environment

In one other instance of Perseverance setting reasonably than breaking a report, the rover used its on-board Mars Oxygen In-Situ Useful resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) instrument to transform a few of Mars' carbon dioxide-rich environment into oxygen. This feat was carried out for the primary time in April 2021.

The instrument works by separating oxygen atoms from carbon dioxide atoms by heating the fuel to round 1,470 levels Fahrenheit.

Scientists hope that know-how demonstrated by MOXIE may in the future assist future planetary explorers convert carbon dioxide into extra helpful issues like rocket propellant, breathable air, and even water.

Heaviest Rover Despatched to Mars

Perseverance is a bit weightier than its predecessor, coming in at 1,025 kilograms or 2,259 kilos in comparison with 899 kilograms or 1,981 kilos for Curiosity, in response to the California Institute of Expertise's Caltech journal.

This is because of Perseverance's giant suite of devices. The most recent rover has a complete of 23 cameras, two microphones, and a heavier arm that weighs greater than Curiosity's because it carries bigger devices and a bigger drill for coring rocks and on the lookout for indicators of previous life.

Its physique can also be barely bulkier, measuring about 12 centimeters (5 inches) longer.

Perseverance landing on Mars
Perseverance seen being lowered to the floor of Mars throughout its descent stage on February 18, 2021. The rover has now been on the Crimson Planet for a 12 months.NASA/JPL-Caltech