13 February 2021, 8:33 am EST By Mars mission as NASA shows pictures ( Youtube/ VideoFromSpace ) On February, Mars entered its new year, or what is known as Year 36, and it has not long been overtaken by Earth in its orbit of the Sun. The overall distance between Mars and Earth constantly changes because of their different speeds around the Sun, therefore the optimum launch window for missions is just once every 26 months when the planets are closer together. NASA's Mars mission After the huge announcement, many are now anticipating the landing of NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars on February 18, 2021. The Perseverance rover is the most sophisticated vehicle that will ever sent to land on the Red Planet.