NASA Mars rover set to do something the team 'never imagined' - CNET

A Mars rock sample collected by Perseverance is about to eat dirt.

Perseverance drilled and extracted the sample from a rock nicknamed Issole in late December, but wasn't able to complete the handoff of the sample tube from the robotic arm into the bit carousel, a component that passes the tube into the rover for processing.

The rover is equipped with a set of sample tubes that allow it to stash away bits of Mars NASA hopes to bring back to Earth with a future mission.

If the team is able to clear the pebble obstruction, the rover might try to sample Issole a second time to get a more complete chunk of the rock.

The Perseverance rover took a good look at the ground so the team will be able to spot any pebbles it drops.