Thu, Sep 09, 2021
Sample Comes From Jezero Crater, Slightly Thicker Than A Pencil
NASA’s Perseverance completed the collection of the first sample of Martian rock on September 6th. Mission controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California received data that confirmed the historic milestone.
There is a campaign planned through NASA and the European Space Agency to return the rover’s sample tubes to Earth for closer study. The sample is now in an airtight titanium sample tube. The samples, returned to Earth, would mark the first set of scientifically identified and selected materials making their way to Earth from another planet.
“NASA has a history of setting ambitious goals and then accomplishing them, reflecting our nation’s commitment to discovery and innovation,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “This is a momentous achievement and I can’t wait to see the incredible discoveries produced by Perseverance and our team.”
Perseverance’s mission includes identifying and collecting samples along with studying the Jezero region to understand ancient habitability of the area and characterize the past climate.
“For all of NASA science, this is truly a historic moment,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Just as the Apollo Moon missions demonstrated the enduring scientific value of returning samples from other worlds for analysis here on our planet, we will be doing the same with the samples Perseverance collects as part of our Mars Sample Return program. Using the most sophisticated science instruments on Earth, we expect jaw-dropping discoveries across a broad set of science areas, including exploration into the question of whether life once existed on Mars.”
The sample taking process began on September 1st and was sealed and stored on September 6th at 12:34 a.m. EDT.
More News
Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operatio>[...]
Altitude Readout An aircraft’s altitude, transmitted via the Mode C transponder feature, that is visually displayed in 100-foot increments on a radar scope having readout cap>[...]
Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]
Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight>[...]
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI>[...]