David Gruel, assembly, testing, and launch operations manager and lead for the EDL camera and microphone at JPL, explains what sounds the microphone may pick up as the Perseverance rover lands on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021.

“So the first things we’re going to hear is we’re going to hear the sound of the pyrotechnic device that fires to release the parachute. And so we’ll continue to hear these pyrotechnic devices that go off throughout the entry, descent, and landing sequence, indicating cables getting cut, bolts being cut, things of that nature. Eventually we’re going to hear the engines that are on the descent stage actually kick up and roar to life. We’re probably going to also hear lots of wind noise as the vehicle comes down through the atmosphere. And then I think one of the most interesting things we’re going to capture is that when the vehicle actually touches down on the surface itself, it’s very likely that we’re going to hear the wheels crunch down onto the Martian surface. And as soon as that happens, the descent stage cables are cut away, and the descent stage flies off into the distance, so you’re going to hear the roar of those engines, probably start off rather loud and get quieter as it quickly disappears into the distance.”

About the Sounds of Perseverance's Mars Landing

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