NASA's Perseverance collects latest rock core sample "Singita," possibly one of the oldest rocks in its collection

NASA's Perseverance rover completed coring on October 24, 2026 (Sol 2018), obtaining its first rock core sample in over a year, "Singita," drilling about 3.1 centimeters into the rock. The sample came from a light-colored rock whose composition is similar to "Badger Peak," which could not be cored because it was too hard; the team switched to a plan with a flatter surface and less drill bit wear to improve the success rate. The rock's texture suggests it may have formed deep in the crust and was altered and excavated by at least one large impact event, and it may be one of the oldest rocks in Perseverance's sample collection.