Watch Live as Hope Mars Probe Enters Orbit in First of Three Missions
In fact, the engineer was the first to confirm that the rover had survived its tricky descent through the thin Martian atmosphere and touched down successfully on the surface of the red planet.
"Touchdown confirmed! Perseverance is safely on the surface of Mars , ready to begin seeking the signs of past life," Mohan announced after the landing, as cheers erupted in the mission control room.
Numerous people took to social media to praise Mohan during and after NASA's coverage of the landing.
"Congratulations @DrSwatiMohan on the Perseverance Rover landing. It was great to hear your updates & explanation last night during the final hr of #MarsLanding on @NASA TV," Sangita Reddy, joint managing director of the Apollo Hospitals Group in India, wrote in Tweet.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt University astrophysicist Karan Jani tweeted: "Dr. Swati Mohan (@DrSwatiMohan) has inspired a new generation of scientists today."
Dr. Swati Mohan ( @DrSwatiMohan ) has inspired a new generation of scientists today. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #Mars2020 pic.twitter.com/9oJY2wx3wF
— Dr. Karan Jani (@AstroKPJ) February 18, 2021
Quartz journalist Annalisa Merelli tweeted: "Update, that's@drswatimohan,@NASAPersevere's Guidance & Controls Operations Lead, and I am starting a fan club. What a queen."
Update, that's @drswatimohan , @NASAPersevere 's Guidance & Controls Operations Lead, and I am starting a fan club.