Perseverance Sets Mars Driving Record at 45.2 Kilometers

NASA’s Perseverance rover has driven 45.2 kilometers (28.1 miles) on Mars, surpassing the distance record set by the Opportunity rover and marking the longest drive by a vehicle on another world, the agency said Tuesday. The milestone was reached during Perseverance’s exploration of Jezero Crater, where it is traveling through an area called Lac de Charmes toward a region known as Idubi. NASA’s reported figure is slightly above Opportunity’s previous record of about 45 kilometers (28.06 miles), set during its mission from 2004 to 2018. A key factor in Perseverance’s progress is AutoNav, its autonomous navigation system. NASA project manager Steven Lee said more than 90% of the rover’s drives are autonomous. The system uses images of the terrain to build a three-dimensional map, identify hazards and select a route toward a goal set by engineers. This enables the rover to make driving decisions without waiting for detailed instructions from Earth. Perseverance’s original mission plan called for 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of driving. NASA has approved an extension for the rover to explore the rim of Jezero Crater through approximately the end of 2028.