How Mars Rovers Work

On 11 October 2026 NASA’s Perseverance rover passed Opportunity’s record for the farthest drive on another world. This film explains how a Mars rover works: the first rovers on the Moon and Mars, the planet they drive on, the sky-crane landing, six-wheeled rocker-bogie suspension, nuclear and solar power, why no one can drive it with a joystick, how it now plans its own route, and what it is searching for in Jezero crater. Land a rover, drive over a rock, survive a dust storm and set the signal delay.

Driving on another world

A new record, on a planet no driver has visited.

First wheels

A tub on the Moon, a toy-sized rover on Mars.

Getting there

A cold, thin-aired world.

A car built for Mars

Six motors, one rule: never get stuck.

Driving blind

Every command arrives minutes late.

What it is looking for

An old lake, and rocks to bring home.

A driver who is never there

From remote control to self-driving.

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