July 30th 7AM Eastern time NASA to Broadcast Mars 2020 Perseverance Launch, Prelaunch Activities

COUNT Down to MARS:
[link to mars.nasa.gov (secure)]

The mission – designed to better understand the geology and climate of Mars and seek signs of ancient life on the Red Planet – will use the robotic scientist, which weighs just under 2,300 pounds (1,043 kilograms) and is the size of a small car, to collect and store a set of rock and soil samples that could be returned to Earth by future Mars sample return missions. It also will test new technologies to benefit future robotic and human exploration of Mars.

Launch is s scheduled to 7:50 AM eastern July 30th.

Prelaunch Activities 7AM July 30th

[link to www.nasa.gov (secure)]

Mars 2020 Perseverance is part of America’s larger Moon to Mars exploration approach that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. Charged with sending the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028 through NASA's Artemis program.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, media participation in news conferences will be remote. Only a limited number of media, who already have been accredited, will be accommodated at Kennedy. For the protection of media and Kennedy employees, the Kennedy Press Site News Center facilities will remain closed to all media throughout these events.

Access from mobile for Instagram (Mars, Mission Control, the Rover)
Or from the Facebook App (Mars, Mission Control, the Rover)

5. For a press kit, go here: [link to www.jpl.nasa.gov (secure)]

6. To be a Virtual Guest at a variety of related NASA events, go here: [link to go.nasa.gov (secure)]