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NASA's next Mars rover honors medical teams fighting virus

Virus Outbreak Mars Mission
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA's next Mars rover is honoring all the medical workers on the front lines of the coronavirus battle.

With just another month until liftoff, the space agency on Wednesday revealed a commemorative plate attached to the rover. The small black and white plate shows planet Earth atop a staff entwined with a serpent, a symbol of the health care community.

Deputy project manager Matt Wallace says medical workers have inspired the Mars mission team throughout the pandemic. He's hoping this special plate _ and the entire Mars mission _ will inspire health care workers in return.

The rover, named Perseverance, is scheduled to launch July 20 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.