Commemorate the Success of Mars 2020 and the Perseverance Rover
The Mars 2020 mission, spearheaded by NASA, represented a monumental leap in humanity’s efforts to explore the Red Planet. On July 30, 2020, Perseverance rover was launched to the Martian surface, where it finally landed on February 18, 2021. Its mission – to seek answers about potential evidence of life on Mars and the future of possible human settlement on another planet.
Perseverance is a state-of-the-art rover designed specifically to explore the environment of Mars. Weighing just over 2,000 pounds and equipped with a plethora of scientific instruments, it serves as a mobile laboratory capable of both conducting experiments and gathering data. Its primary objective was to search for signs of ancient microbial life, but also to lay the groundwork for future human exploration.
Landing in Jezero Crater, an ancient lakebed believed to have harbored water billions of years ago, Perseverance is uniquely positioned to investigate the planet’s habitability. Jezero Crater was selected due to its rich geological diversity, with deposits of clay and carbonate minerals that could preserve organic matter or biosignatures of past life.
To fulfill its mission, Perseverance is equipped with cutting-edge tools:
- SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals): This instrument identifies organic compounds and minerals that form in watery environments, crucial for understanding Mars’ potential for life.
- PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry): PIXL determines the composition of Martian surface materials with microscopic precision.
- MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment): MOXIE represents a major milestone for future human exploration by demonstrating the ability to produce oxygen from Mars’ carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. This technology could support life support systems and fuel production for return missions.
- Ingenuity Helicopter: While not part of the rover itself, this small helicopter is a technological demonstration that proved powered flight is possible on Mars. Its success paves the way for future aerial exploration.
The central focus of the Mars 2020 mission is astrobiology. By examining rock and soil samples, Perseverance aims to uncover evidence of ancient microbial life. This search is grounded in the understanding that Mars, billions of years ago, had conditions similar to early Earth, including liquid water, a thicker atmosphere, and potentially habitable environments.
One of Perseverance’s most groundbreaking contributions is its role in the first-ever sample return mission. The rover is collecting and storing rock and soil samples in sealed tubes, which will be retrieved by future missions and brought back to Earth. Analyzing these samples with Earth-based laboratories will allow scientists to conduct more detailed studies, potentially answering the age-old question: Are we alone in the universe?
Beyond astrobiology, the Mars 2020 mission is a stepping stone for human exploration. Technologies like MOXIE demonstrate how astronauts might produce essential resources, such as oxygen, directly from Martian materials. Perseverance’s detailed mapping of terrain and weather conditions will eventually inform mission planning, ensuring safety and efficiency for future manned missions.
The Mars 2020 mission, anchored by the Perseverance rover, is a watershed moment in space exploration. By seeking evidence of ancient life, testing groundbreaking technologies, and preparing for future human missions, Perseverance is helping to chart a path toward humanity’s ultimate goal: stepping foot on the Red Planet.
As we uncover Mars’ secrets, we not only deepen our understanding of the universe but also learn more about our own origins and future potential.

If you want to be part of the effort to visit and study Mars, the Space and Beyond Box is a great way to celebrate our accomplishments.
This collection lets you get hands on with a custom globe, a 3D topographic map, a chemically and mechanically identical simulant of the Jezero Crater, and an authentic Mars atlas!
These items are scientifically verified for accuracy and make for great display pieces or learning opportunities for teachers and parents.
Last but not least, the collection includes an official Mars 2020 insignia pin, the design of which features the iconic silhouette of the Perseverance itself in high quality red and white enamel.

Visit The Space Store today to check out a huge collection of space and NASA-themed collectibles, whether you’re interested in missions to Mars or any other cosmic studies.
- Written by Matt Herr