Perseverance Rover Lands on Mars, as the World Watches
On Feb. 18, 2021, the world watched live as NASA’s Mars 2020 mission team attempted the most daring part of its mission: landing the Perseverance rover on the surface of Mars. Viewers around the world tuned in to watch the harrowing entry, descent, and landing on TVs, computers, and on giant screens in major cities. As the successful touchdown was confirmed, fans celebrated by sharing their reaction videos and photos on social media. Major landmarks across the globe got involved by lighting up red to celebrate the landing.
Transcript
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
PERSEVERANCE LANDS ON MARS
[VOCA] Propulsion. Go. EDL Phase Lead. Go.
[Swati Mohan] We have deemed Perseverance ready to execute Entry, Descent and Landing on her own.
[Swati Mohan] Confirmation of entry interface. Perseverance is currently going five point three kilometers per second, about one hundred twenty kilometers from the surface of Mars.
[music]
[Swati Mohan] It will start controlling its path to the landing target.
[parachute deploys]
[Swati Mohan] Parachute has deployed and we’re seeing significant deceleration.
[cheering]
[music]
[Swati Mohan] The heat shield has been separated. Perseverance now has radar lock on the ground.
[Swati Mohan] The backshell has separated.
[music]
[Swati Mohan] Skycrane maneuver has started. About twenty meters off the surface.
[music]
[VOCA] Tango. Delta. Nominal.
[Swati Mohan] Touchdown confirmed! Perseverance is safely on the surface of Mars. It is ready to begin seeking the signs of past life.
[Miguel San Martin] Yeah!!
[Fans] Yeah!!
[Fans] Woo!!
[Fan] Yeah!
[cheering]
PARIS, FRANCE
NEW YORK CITY, USA
SAN FRANCISCO, USA
CLEVELAND, USA
MT. EIGER, SWITZERLAND
LONDON, UK
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
LOS ANGELES, USA
[cheering]
FIRST IMAGE RECEIVED FROM PERSEVERANCE
[music]
NASA LOGO