Perseverance Rover Gets Autonomous GPS on Mars

United States===NASA's Perseverance (rover) has received a significant software upgrade called Mars Global Localization, enabling it to autonomously determine its precise location on Mars without human intervention. Previously, the rover relied on inertial measurements and visual odometry, with Earth-based operators periodically correcting its position, leading to delays and limiting drive distances. The new system allows Perseverance (rover) to match its panoramic imagery with onboard orbital terrain maps from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, calculate its position within 10 inches, and continue its planned route. This capability, developed by United States===Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineers Vandi Verma and Jeremy Nash, leverages a high-speed commercial processor in the Ingenuity's base station, which proved resilient in the Martian environment. The upgrade, validated with data from 264 previous rover stops, complements an earlier AI-driven waypoint planning system, collectively allowing Perseverance (rover) to cover more ground, gather more science, and reduce the workload on ground teams. The technology is expected to be adaptable for future missions to Mars and the Moon, where accurate, independent navigation is crucial.