6 days ago · Mars Overview. Mars is no place for the faint-hearted. It’s dry, rocky, and bitter cold. The fourth planet from the Sun, Mars, is one of Earth’s two closest planetary neighbors (Venus is the other).

NASA is reimagining the future of Mars exploration, driving new scientific discoveries, and preparing for humans on Mars. NASA’s Mars Exploration Program will focus the next two decades on its science-driven systemic approach on these strategic goals: exploring for potential life, understanding the geology and climate of Mars, and preparation for human exploration.

Raw Image of the Week Here's the Image of the Week as voted on by the public. Check out the latest raw images below, and "Like" your favorites. Come back at the beginning of the week to see the public's favorite.

3 days ago · This photo was selected by public vote and featured as "Image of the Week" for Week 207 (Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2025) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.. NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera.Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast.

NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its onboard Left Navigation Camera (Navcam).The camera is located high on the rover's mast and aids in driving. This image was acquired on Jan. 5, 2025 (Sol 1379) at the local mean solar time of 09:53:08.

3 days ago · NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera.Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. This image was acquired on April 6, 2024 (Sol 1112) at the local mean solar time of 12:23:05.

This photo was selected by public vote and featured as "Image of the Week" for Week 207 (Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2025) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.Full Caption ›

Jan 19, 2025 · NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its SHERLOC Autofocus and Context Imager (ACI), located on the turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm. This image was acquired on Dec. 25, 2024 (Sol 1368) at the local mean solar time of 19:51:02.

NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image during its descent to Mars, using its Parachute Up-Look Camera B.This camera is mounted on the spacecraft's backshell and looks up at the parachute.

Nov 15, 2024 · Aerobreaking. Aerobraking is a spaceflight technique wherein an orbiting spacecraft brushes against the top of a planetary atmosphere. The friction of the atmosphere against the surface of the spacecraft slows down and lowers the craft’s orbital altitude.