NASA/JPL-Caltech
–
Illustration of NASA’s proposed Sampling Lander that would carry a small rocket, called the Mars Ascent Vehicle, to the surface of the Red Planet.
–
Nationalgeographic.co.id—Since September, the robot explorer Perseverance has chosen a route along the ancient river delta in Mars. Its robotic arm reaches out with a rotating steel drill bit into the core rock. Then, it scooped up the soil and sucked up a small amount of atmosphere red planet this into the titanium tube. Next, the material is stored as a sample in research.
The plan, under NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is to launch another vehicle to Mars to bring the non-sterile samples back to Earth. The sample will be routed to Utah, and sent to a currently unbuilt, secure facility to be built in 2033.
That’s where scientists will start testing for signs of life microbes primordial of about 35 samples with a total weight of about one pound. The goal is also to understand the geology and climate of the planet, and prepare humans who will one day set foot on the red planet.
“We also believe this to be the logical next step in our quest to finally land humans on the surface of Mars,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, astrophysicist and head of science at NASA, in a virtual public presentation in May. “The sample collected from the ancient river delta Jezero is considered the best opportunity to reveal the early evolution of Mars, including the potential for life.”
But the plan left some members of the public who attended the open hearing a bit of intragalactic agitation, especially in light of the recent pandemic. That includes a retired Federal Aviation Administration engineer from South Jersey who wonders what problems unsterile microbes from Mars might pose.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
–
Illustration of a rocket launching a sample of Mars from the planet’s surface for a journey to Earth.
–
NASA is on a Return Mission Mars Sample with the European Space Agency and called it one of the most meaningful missions ever undertaken.
“The public meeting will include a briefing on the status of the National Environmental Policy Act process for the proposed program, as well as its scientific goals and objectives,” NASA said in an April 29 statement, as reported. Space.com.
Public comment on NASA’s initial presentation is now closed, but a draft environmental impact statement on the mission is expected to receive public consideration.
The environmental impact statement will examine the implications for Earth and Mars. The statement was “remedial efforts with respect to natural, biological and cultural resources” and “impacts on the human and natural environment associated with the loss of containment of Martian sample material.”
PROMOTED CONTENT
Featured Videos
–
