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Update: July 6, 2020 – Due to processing delays in preparations to unite the spacecraft with the rocket, the first launch attempt will be no earlier than July 30. The launch period has been expanded to Aug. 15. Dates updated below. › Read more

Perseverance, NASA's most advanced Mars rover yet and only the fifth rover destined for Mars, is scheduled to leave Earth for its seven-month journey to the Red Planet on July 30. Here's how you can participate in this historic event and countdown to Mars with NASA online:

• Register to be a virtual guest at the launch, which will take place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Registered guests will receive updates about virtual participation opportunities and schedule changes, as well as links to launch resources. All resources, participation, and registration are free. In the interest of health and safety, due to the coronavirus pandemic, participation is entirely virtual. There is no access to in-person launch activities or physical tickets.
• Watch a live broadcast of the launch on NASA TV, the agency’s website or its social media channels. The first opportunity for launch will be July 30, starting at 4:50 a.m. PDT (7:50 a.m. EDT). This marks the start of the launch period, which runs through August 15 and consists of daily launch windows of about two hours. The launch period is the span of time when Mars and Earth are at points in their orbits around the Sun that allow us to launch spacecraft to the Red Planet most efficiently.
• Follow launch updates using #CountdownToMars on NASA's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
• See a full listing of online events leading up to and including the launch on the Perseverance Mars rover website.
• Explore educational resources from NASA below to get students engaged in the launch, the mission, and Mars science.

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  Teachable Moments

  Meet Perseverance

  Find out how the rover has been "souped-up" with science instruments, cameras and technologies to explore Mars in new ways – plus, what to expect on launch day.

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  Virtual Education Workshops

  Teaching Space With NASA

  Watch recordings of virtual education workshops featuring NASA experts and education specialists discussing the launch of NASA's next Mars rover.

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  Resources for Families

  Learning Space With NASA at Home

  Explore space and science activities students can do with NASA at home. Watch video tutorials for making rockets, Mars rovers, Moon landers and more. Plus, find tips for learning at home!

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  Resources for Educators

  Explore Mars Lessons

  Get students engaged in the excitement of NASA's next mission to Mars with standards-aligned STEM lessons.

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  Resources for Students

  Explore Mars Activities

  Make a cardboard rover, design a Mars exploration video game, learn about Mars in a minute and explore more STEM activities for students.

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  Articles

  Meet JPL Interns of Mars 2020

  Read stories about interns helping prepare NASA's next Mars rover for its launch this summer.