The team behind NASA's Perseverance rover explained the meaning of the hidden message that the robotic probe will bring to Mars during its mission. The secret message, which was written in Morse code, was engraved on a plate that contains the names of almost 11 million people.
Perseverance is a car-sized rover that will spearhead NASA's latest mission to Mars. One of the rover's objectives is to explore the Red Planet to look for signs of alien life.
Sending Names To Mars
Last week, NASA announced that the rover would be bringing the names of over 10.9 million people with it on its mission to Mars. The names were submitted by the public through a special campaign organized by NASA.
The names were electronically stenciled three silicon chips that were mounted on an anodized plate. This plate was then securely attached to the aft crossbeam of Perseverance.
Perseverance's Secret Message For Mars 2020
Aside from the names of almost 11 million people, it seems the rover will also bring a special message during its trip to Mars. According to the team behind Perseverance, the rover's coded message was imprinted on the plate holding the names.The message was engraved in the form of a diagram that shows Earth and Mars connected by the beams from the Sun. But, according to NASA, the diagram can actually be spelled out using Morse Code. When deciphered properly, the message would read as "Explore As One."
"Some of you spotted the special message I'm carrying to Mars along with the 10.9+ million names you all sent in," NASA said in a statement. "'Explore As One' is written in Morse code in the Sun's rays, which connect our home planet with the one I'll explore. Together, we persevere."
Details Of Mars 2020 Mission
The Perseverance rover is expected to embark on its mission to Mars sometime in July this year. It is expected to reach Mars in February 2021. For the upcoming Mars 2020 mission, NASA has selected the Jezero crater as the main target for Perseverance's exploration.
NASA's latest rover will be accompanied by the Mars Helicopter, which will become the first aircraft to fly on another planet. The helicopter is expected to guide the rover from above and to explore areas that Perseverance cannot reach.
