NASA’s Perseverance rover has spent nearly five years roaming the Martian surface in search of clues to ancient life. But the ambitious plan to return its precious rock samples to Earth is now on shaky ground. Scientific American senior desk editor Lee Billings joins us to unpack the rover’s mission, the stakes of the stalled return effort and the effects it will have on the future of Mars exploration. Recommended Reading NASA Recruits Mars Perseverance Rover to Monitor Sun’s Activity This Rock May Hold Proof of Life on Mars E-mail us at
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