Efe Özkan
13 October 2026•Update: 13 October 2026
NASA’s Perseverance rover has set a new record for the longest distance traveled by a vehicle on another planet, surpassing the previous mark held by the agency’s Opportunity rover, NASA said in a press release Tuesday.
Perseverance had traveled 28.1 miles (45.2 kilometers) on Mars as of Sunday, exceeding Opportunity’s 28.06-mile (45.16-kilometer) record set during its 15-year mission from 2004 to 2018.
The rover reached the milestone while exploring the western rim of Jezero Crater, where scientists are searching for evidence of ancient hydrothermal systems and possible signs of past microbial life.
Perseverance landed on Mars in February 2021 and has since helped scientists reconstruct the history of Jezero Crater, which once contained water. NASA said in 2023 that the area could have supported microbial life billions of years ago.
The rover has covered the distance relatively quickly thanks to its autonomous navigation system, AutoNav, which allows it to analyze images of the terrain, identify hazards and plan routes while driving.
Perseverance can travel up to 1,351 feet (412 meters) during a single Martian day, or sol.
NASA has extended the rover’s mission through the end of 2028, allowing it to continue exploring the Jezero Crater rim and potentially add to its driving record.
