NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return
Videos
The NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return was a proposed Flagship-class Mars sample return mission to collect Martian rock and soil samples in 43 small, cylindrical, pencil-sized, titanium tubes and return them
Mars Ascent Vehicle mockup on display.
Mars Sample Return Program (Artwork; July 27, 2022)
Perseverance rover - cored rock sample collection at 1574 sols (July 24, 2025)
Perseverance's sampling bits Far left: One pointed regolith drill Middle: Six rock drills Right: Two shorter abrasion tools
Sky crane (landing system)
Videos
The sky crane is a soft landing system used in the last part of the entry, descent and landing sequence developed by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory for its two largest Mars rovers, Curiosity and Perse
An Illustration of Perseverance tethered to the sky crane.
Airbags used for the Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity rovers.
Comparison of the Sojourner, Mars Exploration Rovers, and the Curiosity
Comparison of landing ellipses for Perseverance, Curiosity, InSight lander, Phoenix lander, and Mars Pathfinder.