"This is the first step in a Mars sample return. "Not only is it doing its own mission, but it is setting us up for future missions and to bring those samples back." NASA chief engineer Rob Manning added: "NASA works. "When we put our arms together and our hands together and our brains together, we can succeed. This is what NASA does." An illustration of Perseverance on Mars (Image: NASA) Steve Jurczyk, NASA's acting administrator, said: "It's amazing to have Perseverance join curiosity on Mars and what a credit to the team. "Just what an amazing team to work through all the adversity and all the challenges that go with landing a rover on Mars, plus the challenges of Covid. And just an amazing accomplishment."