Live from NASA - Adventures driving and flying on Mars - Mars Day 2023
Keri Bean - Systems Engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, working on the Mars Sample Return helicopters
Sophia Mitchell - Systems Engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, deputy lead rover driver of Curiosity
Direct from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, two members of the Mars 2020 Mission team beamed in live to update us on their adventures on Mars over the last year.
On Mars Day 22 we caught up with Keri and Sophia, drivers of Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. Returning one year later we found out about their exploration and adventures on the surface of Mars. They’ve been driving and drilling with Curiosity through some beautiful vistas, collecting samples with the Perseverance rover, and flying Ingenuity in the first powered Martian flights. Plus, we heard about the next generation of Martian helicopters!
We found out what it takes to drive rovers and fly helicopters from more than 100 million miles away, how scientists look for signs of ancient life…and much more! Keri and Sophia then led a live Q&A from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.