We’re going back to Mars, and we’d like you to be our virtual guest on the trip. On July 30, NASA will launch the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover on a seven-month journey to the Red Planet. After landing in Jezero Crater, the robotic astrobiologist and scientist will search for signs that microbes might have lived on Mars long ago, collect soil samples to be returned to Earth on a future mission and pave the way for human exploration beyond the Moon. Perseverance will be accompanied by a helicopter called Ingenuity, the first attempt at powered flight on another world.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and in the interest of health and safety, NASA can’t invite you to Florida to watch the launch personally. However, there are many ways you can participate virtually:
1. Register Online To Join Our Virtual #CountdownToMars
1. Register Online To Join Our Virtual #CountdownToMars
Register to let us know you’ll be watching the #CountdownToMars Perseverance launch online and we’ll keep you up-to-date. Registrants will receive reminders for the launch broadcasts, get updates regarding interaction opportunities, and hear straight from NASA on any launch updates.
2. Apply for the Virtual NASA Social Event
2. Apply for the Virtual NASA Social Event
NASA Social events give social media users an opportunity to see NASA facilities, interview NASA experts and meet fellow space enthusiasts. For the Perseverance launch, the NASA Social will be held virtually via a public Facebook group, so people of all ages from all over the world can request permission to join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the mission.
3. Prepare for Your Mission
3. Prepare for Your Mission
NASA has prepared a variety of material to help you learn about Perseverance’s mission:
Learn
- Mission Overview
- Press Kit
- Learn about the Rover
- How was Perseverance named?
- Learn about the Helicopter
- Building the Perseverance Rover
- Virtual Launch Packet
Do
- Record, share and tag your #CountdownToMars
- Get Your Virtual Launch Packet
- Other Resources (stickers, posters collectible cards, bookmarks, Kids I Spy, word search, and more)
- Mars 2020 Mission Identifier (Vertical/Horizontal) and ULA’s Mission Patch
- View the Behind the Spacecraft Video Series
- Use the Mars Perseverance Photo Booth
- Find Your Boarding Pass/Send Your Name to Mars
En Español:
4. Share with Students
4. Share with Students
One of NASA’s goals in every mission is to share the excitement of space with future explorers. In fact, students in Virginia (above) and Alabama named Perseverance and Ingenuity, respectively. You can help:
5. Watch the Launch and Share Your Excitement
5. Watch the Launch and Share Your Excitement
Watch the mission briefings and other Mars 2020 programming on NASA TV, culminating with the launch on July 30. See the schedule for Perseverance programming.
Stay connected with the mission on social media, and let people know you’re following it on Twitter, Facebook and Instragram using the hashtag #CountdownToMars. Follow and tag these accounts:
- Twitter: @NASA, @NASAPersevere, @NASAMars
- Facebook: NASA, NASAPersevere
- Instagram: NASA
Perseverance videos will be posted to the NASA JPL YouTube channel and NASA YouTube channel.
6. Stay Tuned as We #CountdownToMars Landing
6. Stay Tuned as We #CountdownToMars Landing
Launch is only the beginning. Perseverance will land on Mars Feb. 18, 2021 to begin its mission of exploration. Follow the mission using the social media tags above and at https://www.nasa.gov/perseverance and https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020.