All articles tagged with #mars
Originally Published 2 days ago — by Nature
NASA's Mars Sample Return program, which aimed to bring Martian samples to Earth for detailed analysis, has been canceled due to high costs and lack of a concrete plan, resulting in the loss of valuable scientific opportunities, including the analysis of potentially biosignature-bearing rocks like Cheyava Falls.
Originally Published 2 days ago — by The Daily Galaxy
Scientists are exploring the use of Earth's microbes, specifically Sporosarcina pasteurii and Chroococcidiopsis, to transform Martian soil into building materials and produce oxygen, potentially enabling sustainable habitats on Mars through biocementation and 3D printing, reducing the need for transporting materials from Earth and supporting long-term human settlement.
Originally Published 2 days ago — by The Daily Galaxy
SpaceX is preparing for a historic test flight of its upgraded Starship spacecraft, featuring the new Version 3 design and a massive Super Heavy booster, marking a significant step toward its goal of Mars exploration despite recent setbacks and delays.
Originally Published 2 days ago — by The Daily Galaxy
China’s Mars rover Zhurong has discovered evidence that liquid water persisted on Mars much later than previously believed, indicating the planet may have had habitable conditions for hundreds of millions of years longer, which has significant implications for understanding Mars’ climate, geology, and potential to support life.
Originally Published 3 days ago — by ZME Science
Scientists have discovered a mysterious hole on Mars that could be a skylight leading to lava tubes, which may serve as protective habitats for future human explorers by shielding them from radiation and harsh environmental conditions. The hole's exact nature is still under investigation, but it represents a promising avenue for exploring underground refuges on Mars, similar to lunar lava tubes, and could be crucial for sustainable colonization.
Originally Published 3 days ago — by Gizmodo
NASA is demolishing two historic test stands at Marshall Space Flight Center used for testing Saturn V rockets and Space Shuttle components, as part of a broader effort to modernize its facilities and reduce maintenance costs, while preserving their legacy through digital documentation.
Originally Published 4 days ago — by Earth.com
NASA's Perseverance rover discovered a desk-sized rock on Mars, named Phippsaksla, that appears to be an iron-rich meteorite, offering insights into asteroid material and Mars' impact history, with potential implications for future Mars exploration and resource utilization.
Originally Published 5 days ago — by Earth.com
NASA's Perseverance rover analyzed a Martian mudstone core, revealing mineral textures and patterns that resemble microbial activity on Earth, suggesting a potential biosignature. While promising, scientists caution that further tests are needed to confirm whether these signals are biological or abiotic, emphasizing careful scientific validation in the search for life on Mars.
Originally Published 5 days ago — by Space
SpaceX has completed stacking its Super Heavy booster at Starbase in preparation for Starship Flight 12, aiming to test the latest version of its massive rocket, which could pave the way for future Mars missions, despite recent delays caused by booster testing issues.
Originally Published 5 days ago — by Space
NASA's Curiosity rover captured a stunning panoramic view from Mount Sharp on Mars, highlighting ancient water-related geological features and continuing its scientific mission after over a decade on the planet.
Originally Published 7 days ago — by Space
NASA's twin ESCAPADE probes were launched into a loiter orbit near Earth's Lagrange point 2 to analyze solar wind interactions with Mars' atmosphere. They will use Earth's gravity for a slingshot to Mars in late 2026, with a planned orbit insertion in 2027. The extra year in space adds some wear but is deemed manageable, serving as a template for future Mars missions and colonization efforts.
Originally Published 8 days ago — by The Daily Galaxy
NASA's Perseverance rover detected mineral patterns in Martian rocks that resemble those formed by microbial life on Earth, suggesting possible past habitability, but further verification is needed to confirm any signs of life.
Originally Published 8 days ago — by The Daily Galaxy
Scientists have identified Amazonis Planitia on Mars as a promising site for future human landings due to its optimal conditions, including accessible subsurface water ice, which could support long-term missions and reduce reliance on Earth resupply. Further exploration is needed to confirm the presence of water ice, but this discovery marks a significant step toward establishing a human presence on Mars.
Originally Published 8 days ago — by Yahoo
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft orbiting Mars has been unresponsive since December 6, with recent data suggesting it was spinning unexpectedly, and efforts to re-establish contact are ongoing, but prospects seem uncertain as the spacecraft has been operational for over a decade studying Mars' atmosphere.
Originally Published 8 days ago — by NBC News
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft orbiting Mars has been unresponsive since December 6, with efforts to re-establish contact ongoing. The spacecraft, which has been studying Mars' atmosphere for over a decade, appears to have experienced an unexpected spin, and communication attempts are delayed until mid-January due to planetary alignment. The mission's status remains uncertain, raising concerns about its future.