Preliminary analysis suggests that the stripes may have been created through volcanic or metamorphic processes, though its exact origin remains unclear. One theory is that Freya Castle may have rolled down from higher up the crater wall.

The rover will climb 305 meters (1,000 feet) to reach the crater's rim, an area believed to have once harbored hydrothermal vents—locations that on Earth are linked to the origins of life.

This rock, marked by distinctive veins and spots, contains organic compounds that suggest it may have once harbored microbial life billions of years ago.

The image was taken in Jezero Crater. The rover has recently started ascending the crater's slopes, promising more intriguing images from new perspectives.

The space agency announced this significant shift at a briefing, revealing the program's expense could reach as high as $11 billion, far exceeding the early estimates of $2.5 to $3 billion.

This find, known as sample 24, was retrieved from a unique outcrop that stood out to scientists due to its unusual composition and structure, suggesting a long history submerged in water, possibly part of an ancient Martian lake.