NASA's Perseverance Just Broke The Off-World Driving Record, While Mostly Steering Itself

When we look up at Mars, many millions of miles away, it's inspiring to think that someone may be looking back at us – not any heat-ray-equipped aliens, thankfully, but one of humanity's greatest accomplishments: NASA's Perseverance rover. In July of 2020, the affectionately nicknamed Percy left Earth forever in a bright flash of hope during some of modern history's darkest days. It, and we, have come a long way since then.  Earth (our "pale blue dot") playing peek-a-boo behind Mars' moon Phobos, as observed by Perseverance on July 2, 2026.