NASA invites everyone to countdown together and get involved in one of their historic landings.  On February 18, 2021, NASA will be attempting to land on Mars with a new rover!  This car-sized rover is named Perseverance and carries a helicopter named Ingenuity.  It was created to search for signs of ancient microbial life and collect samples of Mars to return to Earth.  No matter who you are, (ie. student, parent, educator, camper, museum or other institution) you are encouraged to participate.  Below are the many ways to do so:

  • Landing events will be broadcast live on February 18 starting at about 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST in English and Spanish with touchdown at about 12:55 PM PST/3:55 PM EST.  Watch live.
  • Your one-stop shop for extensive Perseverance education and public engagement materials and resources is the #CountdownToMars Mars 2020 STEM Toolkit.
  • Learn all about the “Mission to Mars Student Challenge” launching in January. The challenge culminates on Feb. 18, when students can land their missions along with the Perseverance Mars rover! Participants will also have the opportunity to join live stream Q&As with NASA experts and submit student work and questions for the landing day broadcast.
  • Find the schedule for televised educational events in advance of landing day at the Challenge and Toolkit sites and at Mars Watch Online.
  • Would you like a preview? Perseverance will be following much the same path as the Curiosity rover did in 2012. Watch Curiosity’s “Seven Minutes of Terror!” video.

#CoutdowntoMars

Countdown to the Landing on Mars!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)