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2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015
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NASA and Russia to Pursue Joint Mars Exploration |
| Mars 1 launcher.
Credit: RKK Energia |
The United States space agency and Rosaviakosmos, its Russian counterpart, announced today that they would pursue a joint program to explore Mars through unmanned probes. Although details are not yet available, the plan seems similar to one Russia has been looking for for years. This other plan involved the use of Russian rockets to launch NASA spacecraft to Mars. Many observers have considered it the only realistic way for Russia to pursure Martian exploration in light of its deteriorating funding situation.
It is of interest to note that in the last twenty Russian missions to Mars, sixteen have suffered a major failure. The last attempted Russian launch to Mars was in 1996, which resulted in the loss of a large European Union science payload. Despite this, Russia's launch systems are highly developed and stable, with a very good track record.
(More info: BBC News, Russian Space Web)
@ 22:30 EST
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Mars Express Launch Bumped Up |
| Soyuz-Fregat Launcher.
Credit: Space-Launcher.com |
The European Space Agency announced today that it is ahead of schedule and will move the launch of the Mars Express orbiter and Beagle 2 lander up to June 2, four days before the minimum launch date set after a fault was discovered in a hard-to-get-to chip. The ESA's first mission to Mars will be carried into space by a Russian Soyuz-Fregat launcher in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
@ 16:33 EST
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Rovers Ready to Launch |
| Artist's conception of a Mars Exploration Rover.
Credit: NASA |
Space.com has posted a new article concerning the Mars Exploration Rovers. Inside, it details some of the problems encountered in building them, as well as some interesting insights into the way they were made.
You can read the article here.
In other news, the RC team apologizes for the lack of recent updates. We've all been extremely busy, and there seemed to be a dearth of new events about Mars. Without further excuses, though, we will be kicking things back into gear.
@ 16:01 EST
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NASA Exploring Tumbleweeds as Rover Designs |
| Tumbleweed.
Credit: Jazarts.com |
NASA is working with students in the North Carolina State University to produce a Martian rover based on tumbleweeds found in deserts. Current rovers are limited to wheel or tank-like designs that offer limited maneuverability on the oftentimes harsh terrain of Mars. The team's prototype skips that completely, using the wind to blow around Mars, taking samples and recording information.
Field testing of a working prototype was done. Further research will be needed, but the next rover you see on Mars may be a very unconventional one.
(More info: Spaceflight Now, Mars Tumbleweed)
@ 18:16 EST
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Mars Aircaft in 2008 |
| Artist's conception of a Martian aircraft.
Credit: NASA |
Aurora Flight Sciences will begin to build a full-scale prototype of its Ares (Aerial Regional-scale Environmental Survey of Mars) for NASA since its half-scale test was successful. The Ares is competing with three other vehicles proposed for a 2007 launch. The Ares has a 500+ mile preprogrammed path. While taking pictures, it will also take atmospheric and magnetic samples and relay the data to Earth. The craft would fly approximately a mile above the surface.
(More info: Ares Site)
@ 20:01 EST
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Earth Seen From Mars |
| Earth, seen from Mars.
Credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS |
The most detailed image of the Earth ever from another planet has been captured by the Mars Global Surveyor in orbit of our favorite red planet. Shown to the left, details such as continents can be seen, although it is a bit fuzzy. As always, click on the image to see a larger version.
(More info: Space.com)
@ 0::1 EST
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Best Site for Life Not on Landing List |
| Russell Crater.
Credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS |
New research in Germany suggests that the best spot to look for life on Mars is far from any of the landing sites selected for exploration from probes launching this year. The site, called Russell Crater, shows evidence of mudflows that leads to liquid water on the surface. Liquid water is considered a necessary prerequisite for life.
There are some problems, however. Located in the southern hemisphere, it experiences different conditions than the other sites. The rovers travelling to Mars this year all have special concerns over power supply from a weaker sun, and heat required for operation. Away from the equator, it becomes more difficult to explore.
(More info: BBC.co.uk)
@ 12:39 EST
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MER-A Delayed |
| Titan Rocket launching from Cape Canaveral.
Credit: USAF |
NASA announced today that the Mars Exploration Rover launch slated for June 5 is now being bumped back to June 8 to allow more flexibility in the engineering schedule. Despite this, the rover was moved onto the launch pad, where it will be carried into space by a Delta II rocket.
(More info: Florida Today)
@ 20:02 EST
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Interview with Project Scientist for Mars Express |
A fascinating interview with the project scientist for the ESA's Mars Express mission has been posted on the BBC website. It covers everything from the search to life to how the European mission compares to NASA's twin rovers. Enjoy!
@ 18:19 EST
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Wheels on Mars |
| Sojourner Rover wheels.
Credit: NASA/JPL |
Everything you ever wanted to know about the wheels used to propel the Mars Exploration Rovers has been posted in a press release from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The amount of engineering that goes into each part of the rover is truly incredible.
@ 11:22 EST
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