Science & Tech · Space · 5 hrs ago
Perseverance sets a new record for driving on another world
NASA’s Perseverance rover set the record for driving on another world, reaching 28.10 miles across Mars on October 11.
It passed the previous mark of 28.06 miles set by NASA’s Opportunity rover, which explored Mars from 2004 to 2018.
Perseverance made the journey in about five and a half years, while Opportunity took nearly 15 years to cover its distance.
Its AutoNav system helps it choose safe routes as it drives, using images and three-dimensional maps to spot obstacles.
The rover is heading toward Idubi, beyond the western edge of Jezero Crater, where scientists hope to find signs of ancient hydrothermal systems.
The rocks there may preserve clues to Mars’s early history, because similar rocks on Earth have largely been worn away or altered.
NASA has extended Perseverance’s mission, and it is expected to keep exploring the rim of Jezero Crater through about the end of 2028.
NASA’s Perseverance rover set a new record for driving on another world, reaching 28.10 miles (45.22 kilometers) on Mars.
It passed the previous record of 28.06 miles (45.16 kilometers), held by NASA’s Opportunity rover.
Perseverance reached the milestone on its 2,006th Martian day, about five and a half years into its mission.
The rover was heading toward Idubi, a region where scientists hope to find evidence of ancient hydrothermal systems.
Its AutoNav system helps it assess terrain and choose safe routes while driving.
- Who
- NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover.
- What
- It set the record for the farthest distance driven by any vehicle on another world.
- When
- October 11, 2026.
- Where
- On Mars, near the western edge of Jezero Crater.
- Why
- Its autonomous driving technology has helped it cover long distances. The journey toward Idubi is intended to investigate ancient terrain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A 299.6-foot (91.31-meter) drive brought Perseverance’s total distance to 28.10 miles (45.22 kilometers), surpassing Opportunity’s record.
The extended phase of Perseverance’s mission began.
The extended mission is expected to keep the rover investigating the rim of Jezero Crater through around this time.
- Record distance
- 28.10 miles (45.22 kilometers)
- Previous record
- 28.06 miles (45.16 kilometers), held by Opportunity
- Record date
- October 11, 2026
- Martian day
- 2,006th sol
- Destination
- Idubi, beyond the western edge of Jezero Crater
What people are saying
The original mission called for no more than 12.4 miles of driving. We’ve blown well past that, and with all mobility systems fully operational and favorable extended-ground-life test results, we expect Perseverance to keep adding to this record for many years to come.