Distance TRAVELED

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Altitude REMAINING

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Cruise

The cruise stage begins after the spacecraft separates from the rocket, before long subsequently launch. The spacecraft departs Earth at a speed of about 24,600 mph (about 39,600 kph). The trip to Mars will take about seven months and about 300 million miles (480 million kilometers). During that journey, engineers have several opportunities to suit the spacecraft's flying path, to make sure its speed and management are all-time for arrival at Jezero Crater on Mars. The start tweak to the spacecraft's flight path happens about 15 days afterward launch.


Rails the Spacecraft's Flight

Eyes on Perseverance : Get a "alive look" at the Mars 2020 spacecraft in flight, with this interactive visualization based on existent information. View the full experience ›

The Trip to Mars

Engineers on Earth continue close tabs on the mission during prowl. Major activities include:

  • Checking spacecraft wellness and maintenance
  • Monitoring and calibrating the spacecraft and its onboard subsystems and instruments
  • Performing attitude correction turns (slight spins to proceed the antenna pointed toward Earth for communications, and to keep the solar panels pointed toward the Sun for power)
  • Conducting navigation activities, such as trajectory correction maneuvers, to make up one's mind and correct the flying path and train navigators before atmospheric entry. The concluding three correction maneuvers are scheduled during approach.
  • Preparing for entry, descent, and landing (EDL) and surface operations, a procedure which includes tests of communications, including the communications to exist used during EDL.

The mission is timed for launch when World and Mars are in good positions relative to each other for landing on Mars. That is, it takes less ability to travel to Mars at this time, compared to other times when World and Mars are in dissimilar positions in their orbits. Every bit Globe and Mars orbit the Sun at different speeds and distances, once virtually every 26 months, they are aligned in a style that allows the nigh free energy-efficient trip to Mars.


An illustration of the route the Mars 2020/Perseverance spacecraft takes to get to Mars.

Perseverance's Route to Mars

An illustration of the route the Mars 2020/Perseverance spacecraft takes to become to Mars.

Perseverance's Route to Mars : An illustration of the road the Mars 2020/Perseverance spacecraft takes to get to Mars. Full image and caption ›

Fine-Tuning the Flight Path to Mars

During the cruise phase, engineers have five opportunities (plus 1 fill-in maneuver and 1 contingency maneuver) to conform the flight path. During these trajectory correction maneuvers, engineers will summate the spacecraft's location and command eight thrusters on the cruise stage to burn down for a specific amount of time needed to tweak the path.

The maneuvers are very of import considering years of careful planning led to option of Jezero Crater as the landing site on Mars, and fine-tuning the flight path ensures that the spacecraft will enter the Mars temper at just the correct spot to land inside Jezero crater.

The final 45 days leading up to the landing make up the approach phase. This phase primarily involves navigation activities and getting the spacecraft set for Entry, Descent and Landing. This is when the terminal three trajectory correction maneuvers may be performed, if needed.