“Optimism”: Martian rover Perseverance has an Earth twin

The ground-based copy of Perseverance was named OPTIMISM (Optimism), short for Operational Perseverance Twin for Integration of Mechanisms and Instruments Sent to Mars. This unit will be used to practice various maneuvers, test software updates and test commands before sending them aboard the Perseverance.

OPTIMISM is now located in one of the premises of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and will soon go to the Mars Yard site – to a specialized complex that simulates conditions on the Red Planet.

The OPTIMISM apparatus almost completely repeats the Perseverance design, including dimensions, a six-wheeled platform, scientific instruments, cameras and on-board computers. Thus, the robot will allow the most accurate reproduction of the work of Perseverance in the laboratory.