Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option best fits each of the numbered blanks from 36 to 40.

THE JOURNEY TO MARS
Exploring Mars has been a dream of humanity for centuries. With advancements in technology, this dream is closer than ever to become a reality. In 2020, the Perseverance rover, launched by NASA, (36)______. Since landing, it has been collecting valuable data about the Martian surface, including evidence of ancient microbial life.
The Perseverance rover is part of a larger mission (37)________ . The ultimate goal is to prepare for future human exploration of Mars, which is likely to happen as early as the 2030s. (38)_______. This includes studying its atmosphere, soil composition, and weather patterns to determine if humans can survive on the planet.
Perseverance is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, such as high-resolution cameras and a helicopter drone named Ingenuity. (39)_______. The data collected will not only enhance our understanding of Mars but also help design technologies for future missions.
As scientists continue to make groundbreaking discoveries, Perseverance stands as a symbol of humanity's determination to explore the unknown. (40)______.