Perseverance Sets New Record for Driving Beyond Earth

WHO:

NASA - Perseverance is NASA’s Mars rover.

NASA - Vandi Verma is chief engineer for robotic operations at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Science Daily - Perseverance’s record surpassed the previous record set by NASA’s Opportunity rover.

WHAT:

NASA - Perseverance’s odometer reached 45.22 kilometers (28.10 miles), setting a new record for the farthest distance driven on another celestial body.

Science Daily - Perseverance traveled farther across another world than any vehicle before it.

Science Daily - The previous record was Opportunity’s 28.06 miles.

Science Daily - Perseverance is exploring some of the oldest rocks in the solar system and searching for clues about ancient Martian environments that may once have supported life.

WHERE:

NASA - Perseverance set the driving record on Mars.

Science Daily - Perseverance is exploring rocks on Mars.

WHY:

Science Daily - Perseverance is searching for clues about ancient Martian environments that may once have supported life.

HOW:

Science Daily - Perseverance’s advanced self-driving system helped it surpass Opportunity’s distance record.

Science Daily - Perseverance broke the record in five and a half years; Opportunity’s record took nearly 15 years.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 18:19 UTC)

NASA’s Perseverance rover has set a new record for the farthest distance driven on another celestial body, reaching 28.10 miles on Mars. That surpasses the previous record of 28.06 miles, set by NASA’s Opportunity rover. Perseverance covered the ground in five and a half years, while Opportunity took nearly 15 years to reach its mark. A more advanced self-driving system helped Perseverance navigate the Martian surface and rack up the distance. The rover is now exploring some of the oldest rocks in the solar system. Its work includes searching for clues about ancient environments on Mars that may once have supported life. Vandi Verma, chief engineer for robotic operations at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is among the team guiding the rover’s operations.