NASA has delayed its upcoming trip to Mars, raising concerns that it could miss the chance to launch altogether.
While the launch was originally scheduled for July 20, NASA has announced that the launch has now been pushed back to 07:50 EDT (12:50 BST) on July 30.
NASA explained: “The launch period is approximately three weeks, from July 30 to August 15. The duration of the daily launch window varies from day to day.
“The launch windows will last approximately two hours, with a unique launch opportunity every five minutes.”
The Mars 2020 project was first announced in December 2012, but launch opportunities have been limited.
NASA explained: “Owing to the relative positions of Earth and Mars to each other, launch opportunities come up only every 26 months.
“If Perseverance didn't head to Mars this summer, the project would have to wait until September 2022 to try again, seriously impacting the long-term objectives of NASA's Mars Exploration Program and increasing overall mission risk.”
The rover will launch from Kennedy Space Centre on board a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, and will then complete a 34 million mile journey to Mars, before landing in the Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021.
Its key mission is to search for signs of ancient microbial life, but will collect and store Martian rock and dust samples.
NASA hopes these samples will help to pave the way for human exploration of the red planet in the near future.
NASA added: “The Mars 2020 mission is part of a larger program that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.
“Charged with returning astronauts to the Moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028 through NASA's Artemis lunar exploration plans.”
