Being a KISS affiliate provides some incredible opportunities, like a private Q&A with JPL Chief Engineer Rob Manning the night before the Mars landing. On February 17th, Rob gave a public lecture to more than 5,000 viewers about the Thrill and Terror of Landing on Mars. Then, Rob joined the KISS affiliates for a fascinating private discussion, where he also received some lucky peanuts from the students. The next day, Affiliates donned their new Mars 2020 Perseverance t-shirts as they watched the successful landing.

The lucky peanuts from KISS even made an appearance at JPL during the landing! https://www.today.com/food/nasa-s-perseverance-mars-rover-landing-aided-lucky-peanuts-t209825.