autoevolution 18 Feb 2021, 16:32 UTC · by 1 photo Perseverance, tucked away in its spaceship, is currently devouring the last miles that separate it from Mars. It will begin its descent soon, with a planned touchdown in the Jezero crater at 3:55 p.m. EST. Compared to the planned landing, the rover's launch and very long trip through space will seem like child play. The ship carrying it will hit the Martian atmosphere at over 12,000 mph (about 20,000 kph), slowly shedding speed as it moves through the upper layers. Using friction, a parachute, but also engines to slow it down, Perseverance will have to be at just 2 mph (3 kph) when the descent stage lowers it down to the ground using three cables.