NASA's Perseverance rover is preparing for its second rock sampling attempt on Mars. This time, it targets a durable outcrop over 450 meters from the first site. Engineers have refined the process to boost success odds.
Since touching down on the Red Planet in February 2021, Perseverance has honed in on its core mission: collecting pristine samples for return to Earth. There, advanced labs will analyze them for traces of ancient life. Ambitious? Absolutely. But space exploration demands resilience.
On August 5 (sol 164), commands went out for the first core sample. The science team gathered the next morning, August 6, as data streamed in. All looked promising—until later imaging showed the sample tube empty. The rock proved far softer than expected, crumbling to powder under the drill.
Undaunted, the team repositioned Perseverance beside 'Rochette,' a rugged outcrop 455 meters away on Citadel ridge. Millennia of Martian winds haven't eroded it, signaling it should withstand drilling effectively.
Enhancements include pre-drilling abrasion by the robotic arm to test surface response. During coring, Mastcam-Z will inspect the canister to confirm it's loaded before sealing. This should ensure victory.
The empty first tube? It's coming home too—packed with Martian atmosphere for invaluable study.
Mars geology often surprises. Curiosity has drilled tougher or brittler rocks than planned. In January, InSight's HP3 probe, aimed at 2-meter depth, managed only centimeters due to poor friction—forcing NASA to abandon it.
