The public service broadcaster Arte is a Franco-German cooperation with a focus on culture and society.
The Mars rover "Curiosity" is getting reinforcements. The research vehicle is still ready for use, but his brother "Perseverance", who is ten years younger, is up to date scientifically and technologically. The teams of NASA and the French CNES, who designed and equipped it, follow the events live from Earth.
The crater Jezero, where "Perseverance" ends up intact, was not chosen: Various observation missions have provided indications that there have been liquid water in the past that has left sediments in which traces could be found. The arte science documentation shows pictures of the first trips of »Perseverance« on the surface of Mars. Due to the enormous distance, they are transferred to the control rooms with a 20-minute delay.
The rover's dialogue with Mission Control has begun – and is expected to last for years. "Perseverance" must select, take, examine and store various rock samples. Planetary scientists and exobiologists compare their findings on the geological history of the Red Planet and on the conditions for the formation of life with the images sent by the rover and transmitted by NASA – an extremely exciting task for the interdisciplinary scientists. Explorations and preparatory research for a human landing on Mars are also part of this extraordinary mission. Will it one day be possible to send astronauts from Earth? A new chapter in space history has just begun.
