Perseverance reveals clay minerals and sets distance record in Martian exploration
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 26, 2025
NASA’s Perseverance rover has completed its 30th abrasion study, drilling into a Martian rock named “Kenmore” to uncover geologic secrets beneath its dusty surface. On June 3, the rover abraded a two-inch-wide patch, then cleared debris with a nitrogen-powered device known as the gaseous Dust Removal Tool (gDRT), which delivers five puffs per operation. This technique enables scientists to examine pristine rock interiors for mineral content and origin clues.
Ken Farley, Perseverance’s deputy project scientist at Caltech, described Kenmore as “a weird, uncooperative rock” that vibrated excessively and shed fragments during grinding. Despite the challenges, the team managed to penetrate below the weathered exterior, enabling a successful mineralogical analysis.
Perseverance carries an advanced suite of instruments for in-situ science. Following abrasion, the WATSON imager captured detailed photos, while SuperCam used lasers and spectrometers to examine both the abraded rock and adjacent tailings. These tests revealed clay minerals with hydroxide groups bound to iron and magnesium, typical of ancient Martian geology. SuperCam also identified elevated levels of iron and magnesium.
Subsequent analysis by SHERLOC and PIXL confirmed the presence of clay and feldspar, and for the first time, detected a manganese hydroxide mineral. These discoveries deepen understanding of Mars’ geologic past and improve strategies for future missions targeting resource utilization and surface operations.
With Kenmore’s data secured, Perseverance resumed its exploration along Jezero Crater’s rim. The rover also surpassed its previous record for autonomous travel, covering 1,348 feet (411 meters) on June 19 during Sol 1540, guided by its AutoNav self-driving system.
“Every day operating on Mars, we learn more on how to get the most out of our rover,” said Camden Miller, rover driver at JPL. “And what we learn today future Mars missions won’t have to learn tomorrow.”
NASA’s Perseverance mission continues to collect valuable insights into the Martian environment and rock diversity, informing both scientific inquiry and future human exploration.
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