Summary
- NASA released a new HiRISE image of Perseverance on Mars.
- The rover appears as a tiny green speck on the Martian surface.
- The image was taken on June 13, 2026.
- One day later, Perseverance reached 42.195 kilometers of total driving.
- The milestone came on sol 1,890 of the mission.
- Opportunity had taken 11 years and two months to reach the same distance.
- Perseverance was located west of Jezero Crater, in an area called Arbot.
NASA captured Perseverance from orbit shortly before the rover completed a marathon-distance journey on the surface of Mars.
Perseverance appears as a tiny green speck in a new image from the HiRISE camera aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, taken on June 13, 2026, one day before the rover reached 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers, of total driving on the Red Planet.
The milestone is significant because Perseverance reached that distance after five years and four months of driving, on the 1,890th Martian day, or sol, of its mission, while NASA’s previous record holder, Opportunity, took 11 years and two months to reach the same mark.
The orbital view of Mars
The image was taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter using the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera, known as HiRISE.
The rover’s tracks can be seen across the surface, while Perseverance itself appears extremely small compared with the surrounding terrain. NASA also released a version of the image with a circle marking the rover’s position to make it easier to spot.
A marathon on the Red Planet
Reaching 42.195 kilometers is more than a symbolic number. For a robotic vehicle operating across unknown, rocky, and often difficult terrain, every meter requires careful planning, navigation, and risk assessment.
Perseverance has covered this distance as part of its mission in and around Jezero Crater, searching for evidence of Mars’ geological past and collecting rock and soil samples.
The Arbot area west of Jezero
According to NASA, the rover was in an area west of Jezero Crater that the science team calls “Arbot.”
This area is part of Perseverance’s broader route as the rover continues to explore scientifically interesting locations. The tracks seen from above show the path the vehicle has followed across the surface.
Perseverance and Opportunity
The comparison with Opportunity highlights the pace at which Perseverance has been moving. Opportunity made history on Mars, but it needed more than a decade to reach the marathon milestone.
Perseverance reached the same distance in less than half the time, reflecting advances in navigation technology, mission operations, and the capabilities of newer rovers.
Who is behind the mission
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages Perseverance and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate, is responsible for mission operations.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was built by Lockheed Martin Space, while HiRISE is operated by the University of Arizona and was built by BAE Systems.
What we think
The HiRISE image is striking not because it shows Perseverance in detail, but because it reminds us of the scale of the mission. A tiny speck in a vast Martian landscape has already completed an entire marathon, continuing one of NASA’s most important robotic explorations of Mars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did HiRISE capture?
The HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the Perseverance rover on the surface of Mars, along with its tracks.
When was the image taken?
The image was taken on June 13, 2026, one day before Perseverance reached the marathon-distance milestone.
How far has Perseverance traveled?
Perseverance has reached 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers, on the surface of Mars.
Where was the rover located?
The rover was in an area west of Jezero Crater that the science team calls “Arbot.”
Why is the milestone important?
It is important because it demonstrates the endurance, reliability, and capabilities of Perseverance, which reached the marathon distance much faster than Opportunity.
