The Mars Rover named Perseverance landed on Mars just a few days ago on February 18, 2021. As exciting as it was to witness that historic moment take place, it is even more exciting to see what Mars is really like thanks to the sounds and images recorded by Perseverance.

Matt Wallace is the deputy project manager for the Perseverance mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get a chance to step foot on Mars in his lifetime, but these sights and images from Perseverance help him feel like he’s really there. He explained, “It is unlikely at this point in my career that I will pilot a spacecraft down to the surface of Mars, but when you see this imagery, I think you will feel like you are getting a glimpse into what it would be like to land successfully in Jezero Crater with Perseverance.”

Dave Gruel is the lead engineer for Perseverance’s camera and microphone subsystem. He said that the rover captured 23,000 images and over 30 gigabytes of data as it was landing on Mars. Now, it has also captured its first sound, a gust of wind.

Watch the video below to hear the first sound captured on Mars for yourself and to learn more about Perseverance.

 

The plan is for Perseverance to roam the Martian landscape for the next two years collecting samples of rocks and sediments as well as searching for any sign of microbial life. Then, the rover will return to Earth.

Did you watch Perseverance land on Mars? Does it surprise you that there is wind on Mars? Do you think Perseverance will find signs of life on the surface of Mars?