"We did successfully find that parking lot." That's how US space agency Nasa's Allen Chen described guiding the Perseverance rover through a hazardous journey to the surface of Mars and into a "nice, flat spot". Hugs and high-fives may have been out for the socially distanced engineers but the excitement - and relief - at mission control in California was clear to see.

At 20:55 GMT on Thursday, the six-wheeled robot landed in a deep crater named Jezero, near the planet's equator. Jezero is thought to have held a giant lake billions of years ago and Nasa's robot will spend at least two years drilling into the local rocks, looking for evidence of past life. The first pictures - from an engineering camera - have already provided a glimpse of the planet's surface. Expect many more in the coming days, as the rover's mission - explained here - gets under way.

With the UK ordering more than 400 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, it's expected to have many left over. And in a speech to a virtual meeting with other leaders of the G7 group of developed nations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to pledge most of that surplus to poorer countries. The UK has already donated £548m to Covax - the UN-led vaccine sharing scheme - but 130 countries haven't done any vaccinations at all, leaving healthcare workers at high risk. Campaigners say they need jabs as quickly as possible.

"High-risk, high-reward" research is the focus of a new body seeking ground-breaking discoveries in areas such as disease and climate change. Modelled on US agencies that helped create the internet and GPS, the Advanced Research & Invention Agency (Aria) will get £800m over four years. Existing research bodies were allocated £10.36bn in 2020-21 alone. Technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones says Aria aims to create "a Silicon Valley culture where failure is not to be feared". The test, he adds, will be "whether there are also successes to celebrate".

While some papers picture the Perseverance rover's touchdown on Mars, coronavirus still dominates the lead stories. The Daily Telegraph says the "powerful effect" of vaccination is shown in "real-world data" suggesting it cuts Covid-19 transmissions and infections by two-thirds. The Times says there's "hope for holidays overseas", with ministers working on plans to allow Britons to jet away for summer breaks. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail suggests over-40s in England will begin to be offered a vaccine by the end of March.

For a heart-warming tale, watch our video about a dentist who adapted his skills to help a koala born without a foot to walk properly. Or, to exercise your mind, take on our quiz of the week's news.

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