Perseverance (rover)

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/perseverance-rover

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the power system?Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) for sustained power generation
2. What is the key technology demonstration?MOXIE experiment successfully produced oxygen from Martian atmospheric CO2
3. What is Perseverance?Perseverance is NASA's most advanced rover that drives on Mars, looking for clues of ancient life and testing technology for future human missions.
4. Why did NASA choose Jezero Crater for Perseverance?Images showed a river delta and lakebed that could keep organic molecules, making Jezero Crater a good place to search for past life.

Astrobiology: The scientific study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
Biosignature: Any substance, object, or pattern whose origin specifically requires a biological agent.
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): The practice of using local resources on other celestial bodies to support human exploration and settlement.
Mars Sample Return: A proposed multi-mission campaign to bring Martian rock and soil samples back to Earth for detailed study.