Actions

23ABC Live interview with NASA ahead of today's Mars rover arrival

Perseverance has almost arrived on Mars, so we talked with NASA about the science on board the historic rover.

Today is the day NASA will land the first rover on mars in nearly a decade. Perseverance will search for signs of life, collect the first samples that could be returned by a future mission, and pave the way for human explorers. Joining us today to talk about this mission is (moo-ji-gae) Moogega Cooper, the Planetary Protection Lead for the Mars 2020 mission:

Live interview with NASA as they prepare for the Mars Rover arrival

By: Elaina Rusk, 23ABC

Posted

and last updated

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — This morning's NASA interview will be remembered as one of the most exciting career moments for our Chief Meteorologist Elaina Rusk! Geek out with her and Moogega Cooper, the Mars 2020 Planetary Protection Lead, as NASA prepares for Perseverance's arrival on the red planet in just a few hours.

According to NASA, the rover’s landing will be the most challenging touchdown on Mars attempted by the agency. The landing will conclude the craft's 293 million-mile journey from Earth to Mars.

The rover will land on Mars around 3:55 p.m. ET on Thursday. The landing can be viewed on NASA.gov.

Weather

Enter zip code to change location

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

02/10/2026

Showers Early

-° / 51°

55%

Wednesday

02/11/2026

Partly Cloudy

66° / 43°

Thursday

02/12/2026

Partly Cloudy

64° / 43°

Friday

02/13/2026

Mostly Clear

63° / 42°

Saturday

02/14/2026

Cloudy

70° / 46°

Sunday

02/15/2026

Showers

67° / 47°

73%

Monday

02/16/2026

Showers

57° / 43°

65%

Tuesday

02/17/2026

Light Rain

53° / 39°

64%