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Photos: Perseverance rover nears the Red Planet ahead of its Martian debut

Mars 2020 mission: Perseverance rover

The Mars 2020 mission launched on July 30, 2020, en route to our cosmic neighbor. On Feb. 18, after traveling millions of miles and braving the vacuum of space for nearly seven months, the Perseverance rover is set to land on the Red Planet. Here are 20 Perseverance rover photos to whet your spacefaring appetite ahead of its Martian entry, descent, and landing.

SEE: NASA: Landing on Mars, working from home. Perseverance all-around (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Spacecraft overview

SEE: NASA: Landing on Mars, working from home. Perseverance all-around (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL
Approaching Mars

SEE: NASA: Landing on Mars, working from home. Perseverance all-around (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
Perseverance perspective

SEE: NASA: Landing on Mars, working from home. Perseverance all-around (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
The spacecraft's heat shield

SEE: NASA: Landing on Mars, working from home. Perseverance all-around (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
Entering the Martian atmospheres

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Approaching the Martian surface

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
Entry, descent, and landing operations

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
The craft hangs from its parachute

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
The spacecraft begins its descent

SEE: Everything you need to know about Perseverance and the mission (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
Skycrane maneuver

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Image: NASA
Perseverance touches down

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Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech
Perseverance begins exploration

SEE: How Apple users can make the most of Microsoft 365 at work (TechRepublic Premium)

Image: NASA
Martian surface operations

SEE: How Apple users can make the most of Microsoft 365 at work (TechRepublic Premium)

Image: NASA
Perseverance roving the Red Planet

SEE: How Apple users can make the most of Microsoft 365 at work (TechRepublic Premium)

Image: NASA
Collecting samples

SEE: 6 space missions to look forward to in 2021 (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Mars helicopter tags along for the ride

SEE: 6 space missions to look forward to in 2021 (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA
Ingenuity takes flight

SEE: 6 space missions to look forward to in 2021 (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA
Perseverance front and center

SEE: 6 space missions to look forward to in 2021 (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL
Perseverance

SEE: 6 space missions to look forward to in 2021 (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA\/JPL-Caltech

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R. Dallon Adams

R. Dallon Adams is a journalist originally from Louisville, Kentucky. His previous work includes a wide spectrum of beats and formats ranging from tech-savvy urban planning initiatives to hands-on gadget reviews.