L-R: Perseverance’s first cored-rock sample is visible inside this titanium sample collection tube in this image taken on September 6, 2021; Sample tube number 266 was used to collect the first sample of Martian rock by NASA’s Perseverance rover. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has confirmed its first successful collection of a core sample from Mars.
In a statement today, NASA said its Perseverance rover completed the collection of the first sample of Martian rock, a core from Jezero Crater slightly thicker than a pencil.
The agency said mission controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California received data that confirmed the historic milestone.
NASA said the core is now enclosed in an airtight titanium sample tube, making it available for retrieval in the future.
Through the Mars Sample Return campaign, NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) are planning a series of future missions to return the rover’s sample tubes to Earth for closer study.
These samples would be the first set of scientifically identified and selected materials returned to our planet from another.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said it's a momentous achievement:
“NASA has a history of setting ambitious goals and then accomplishing them, reflecting our nation’s commitment to discovery and innovation. This is a momentous achievement and I can’t wait to see the incredible discoveries produced by Perseverance and our team.”
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