23ABC Live interview with NASA ahead of today's Mars rover arrival Perseverance has almost arrived on Mars, so we talked with NASA about the science on board the historic rover. Today is the day NASA will land the first rover on mars in nearly a decade. Perseverance will search for signs of life, collect the first samples that could be returned by a future mission, and pave the way for human explorers. Joining us today to talk about this mission is (moo-ji-gae) Moogega Cooper, the Planetary Protection Lead for the Mars 2020 mission: and last updated 2021-02-18 11:25:52-05 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. â This morning's NASA interview will be remembered as one of the most exciting career moments for our Chief Meteorologist Elaina Rusk! Geek out with her and Moogega Cooper, the Mars 2020 Planetary Protection Lead, as NASA prepares for Perseverance's arrival on the red planet in just a few hours.