ISRO is reportedly planning to send a lander with a rover and a rotocopter (helicopter) to Mars, similar to NASA's Ingenuity quadcopter. The rotocopter, still in the conceptual stage, is expected to carry an instrument suite named the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (Marble) for aerial exploration of Mars, conducting vertical profiling of atmospheric factors and in-situ measurements within the near-surface boundary layers. This mission aims to enhance understanding of Martian weather patterns and historical climate, providing crucial data for future exploration missions.
NASA's Perseverance rover captured a 200-foot-wide dust devil moving across Mars' Jezero Crater at a speed of about 12 mph. Dust devils are weaker and smaller than tornadoes on Earth but play a role in redistributing dust on Mars. Scientists study them to gain insights into the Martian atmosphere. The rover's imagery helped determine the dust devil's location, width, and estimated height. The mission's objective is to search for signs of ancient microbial life, study the planet's geology and climate, and pave the way for human exploration of Mars.
Scientists are exploring the feasibility of beaming power through the dense atmosphere of Venus to power surface probes. Traditional power sources like solar power, batteries, and radioisotope thermoelectric generators are not suitable for Venus' extreme conditions. The research suggests that power beaming using lasers could be a viable option, as certain "frequency windows" in the atmosphere allow for power transmission. However, the technology for this is still under development. The study also highlights the importance of understanding Venus' atmosphere for designing a specific power-beaming system.
