The Perseverance rover began laying out samples of Martian soil for subsequent delivery to Earth.

December 19, 2022

Plan A is to get the soil tubes home using the rover itself. But in case Perseverance fails by the time the rocket arrives (2032-2033), there is also a plan B. The rover is now laying out samples right on the surface of Mars. And then, they will be picked up by small drone helicopters.