NASA's Perseverance Rover Is Looking for Life on Mars

NASA's latest Mars rover is done with its testing and is ready to embark upon its first scientific mission. After landing on the planet in February, the Perseverance rover has been busy trying out its many instruments--converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into oxygen that would be needed for manned missions, flying a helicopter and taking photos. Now, it will begin its mission: looking for evidence of life. Over the coming months, it will use a variety of sophisticated instruments to scan the planet's Jezero Crater for places of interest, drill into rocks and soil, and collect specimens to be retrieved and brought to Earth by future spacecraft. The rover is packed with 23 cameras, sensors, a laser and a drill-equipped robotic arm.