Imaging Systems On The Perseverance Mars Rover

Optics are Critical in Search for Ancient Life on Mars

NASA’s missions to Mars over the last few decades have proven that parts of the Red Planet were likely covered in water billions of years ago. The Perseverance rover is now roaming the cold, dry surface of Mars looking for signs of ancient microbial life. It landed in February 2021 and is analyzing rock and soil samples to better understand Mars’s past, present, and potential for future human colonization. Perseverance is equipped with 23 cameras helping it navigate and pursue its mission (Figure 1).¹ These varied optical systems are essential in determining whether Mars once sustained life and if it could be habitable in the future.

• The Perseverance rover is searching for signs of water and ancient life on Mars
• The rover uses a total of 23 cameras to navigate and collect samples
• A laser vaporizes rock up to 7m (20ft) away as a spectrometer analyzes the composition
• Investigating if substances on Mars would be harmful to humans