Perseverance Mars rover collects 1st sample of new science campaign (photos)

This image shows the rocky outcrop the Perseverance science team calls "Berea" after the NASA Mars rover extracted a rock core (right) and abraded a circular patch (left). The image was taken by one of the rover’s front hazard cameras on March 30, 2023, the 749th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has drilled its 16th sample from an intriguing rock, inaugurating its latest assignment that has it exploring the top of an ancient river delta. 

The newly collected sample, the size of a piece of classroom chalk, is safely tucked in Perseverance's belly, NASA announced on Friday (March 31). It was drilled from a rock that could conceivably harbor evidence of ancient microbial life, if life ever existed on Mars, mission team members said.