Perseverance sets record for longest distance driven on another world
NASA's Perseverance rover has surpassed Opportunity's driving distance record on Mars after traveling more than 45.16 kilometers.
FTMQ Space, written by our newsroom0 views
NASA's uncrewed Perseverance rover set a record for the distance driven on another world, the Planetary Society reported. The rover passed the previous record mark on Oct. 11, 2026, and captured a photograph following the achievement. [1]
The previous record was held by NASA's Opportunity rover, which traveled 45.16 kilometers or 28.06 miles across the Martian surface before it shut down in 2018, according to the Planetary Society. [1]
The Soviet Union's Lunokhod 2 rover, which launched to the Moon in 1973, is now in third place, the Planetary Society reported. Lunokhod 2 completed a total journey of 39 kilometers or 24 miles on the lunar surface. [1]
NASA's Curiosity rover is also approaching new driving benchmarks on Mars. The Planetary Society reported that Curiosity needs to travel less than 1 kilometer, or 0.6 miles, to surpass the total distance driven by Lunokhod 2. [1]
In short
- Perseverance broke the record for distance driven on another world on Oct. 11, 2026.
- Opportunity previously held the distance record on Mars at 45.16 kilometers.
- The Soviet Lunokhod 2 rover traveled 39 kilometers on the Moon following its launch in 1973.
Sources
Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.
- [1]Seeing the old in a new lightPlanetary Society, 1d ago (the report this story comes from)
Background
- [2]Eye of Providence on Wikipedia
Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 2 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.
Related from FTMQ Space
Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.
- Perseverance rover sets record for off world driving distance on MarsTop Stories, 4d ago
- Perseverance surpasses Opportunity to claim Martian distance recordAgencies, 4d ago
- ExoMars rover twin completes driving tests on simulated terrainAgencies, 5d ago
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