First Drive Test of NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover

On Dec. 17, 2019, engineers took NASA’s next Mars rover for its first spin. The test took place in the Spacecraft Assembly Facility clean room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. This was the first drive test for the new rover, which will move to Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the beginning of next year to prepare for its launch to Mars in the summer. Engineers are checking that all the systems are working together properly, the rover can operate under its own weight, and the rover can demonstrate many of its autonomous navigation functions. The launch window for Mars 2020 opens on July 17, 2020. The rover will land at Mars' Jezero Crater on Feb. 18, 2021.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

[mccanlessdesign]

I like how most of the scientists are bowing to the rover.

[rkornilo]

Wow, check out the velocity of that thing!

[thehockeygirl]

2020 is going to be one heck of a year

[realdevbro]

They trying to see if it'a boy or a girl...

[emilartwave]

Mars 2020: *rolling*
High intelligent scientists: *laying on the ground*

[Nifelheim]

Doug Demuro should make a review of this vehicle: "Here's Why the NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover Is an insane $1500 million space vehicle"

[aviduser]

Great job JPL!! Can't wait to see the footage from 2020's helicopter camera.

[UncleFjester]

The new FJ Cruiser Debuts!
Excellent approach and departure angles

[strongme]

The funny thing is, when aliens see this thing on Mars, they'll be looking at Perseverance just like those fellas in the bunny suit and be like "What on Mars is that!?"

[NewMusicWeekly]

The video and its cuts are so short. A continuous shot of the suspension traversing those offset humps would have been interesting.

[spunkmire]

"IT's WORKING! IT's WORKING!" said Anakin.

[vikranttyagiRN]

Eagerly waiting for the launch of this new heroic explorer. Go NASA

[sadiqmohamed]

The most expensive car? I look forward to seeing it get on the ground and send back pictures. The amount of work that has gone into this project and the number of people involved deserves success.

[ReflectiveLayerFilm]

I can't imagine the complexity involved in making sure all the parts from the different manufacturers work together and how a system wide test is performed.

[AnshGupta]

How breathtaking the moment will be to see this rover landing for the first time on Mars.
A_BIG_CHEER_FOR_NASA. : )

[vagatronics]

please add cameras on it so we see the landing

[vorpalcheese]

Looks amazing! Congrats folks! Can't wait to see it on Mars!

[moonfakery]

I didn't find on your channel any rover field or landing tests.

[Spokkkky]

Whats the purpose of keeping the middle wheel bigger than the rest

[CodeLeeCarter]

Somewhat more bounce to the Rover than I expected, though a much-needed feature.