NASA's Opportunity Of A Lifetime | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Tue, Feb 10, 2004

NASA's Opportunity Of A Lifetime

Mars Rover Examines Rocks

Opportunity, the Mars rover, has made another giant leap for mankind. On Sunday, the rover took microscopic images of a bedrock outcropping on the surface of Mars that scientists hope will answer questions about whether the rock could have formed in water. The images will help scientists understand what the environment was like when the rock was formed, said Jim Erickson, deputy mission manager.

Opportunity's camera spotted the outcropping, which is about 50 feet long and a foot high, within days of its Jan. 24 landing. It is the first bedrock outcropping seen on any Mars mission. The microscopic images and other tests could shed light on whether water — a key ingredient for life — ever flowed freely on Mars. NASA used an instrument Monday to determine the rock's chemical makeup.

Also Sunday, scientists studied data that the Spirit rover had gathered the day before by drilling a small hole into the sharply angled rock dubbed Adirondack. It was the first rock to be drilled by either of the two rovers on the Mars mission. Scientists had wanted to move the Spirit rover Saturday but couldn't because of a safety feature that scientists are having trouble deactivating. They said overriding the feature would be fairly simple.

Opportunity, meanwhile, remained stationary as it examined the bedrock outcropping. It was expected to move along the rock formation late Sunday. Both rovers are exploring opposite sides of the planet as part of their $820 million mission.

FMI:  www.marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.03.25): No Gyro Approach

No Gyro Approach A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or directional gyro. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the contro>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.03.25)

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>[...]

ANN FAQ: Turn On Post Notifications

Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]

Airborne 05.30.25: Anti-Helicopter Bill, PW Strike Done, All-Electric Bristell

Also: Duffy Wants $$$, KS Airports, Morningside U’s Aviation School, New Airstrip In ID After 6 were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River, several US Representa>[...]

Airborne 05.29.25: ATC Bonu$, VX4 eVTOL Flies, Starship 9 Test

Also: Hermeus Quarterhorse MK1, Seaplane Rating Guide, Vietjet A330neos, SFO Wacky Weed Bust As the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC