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Mars Express Orbiter

All articles tagged with #mars express orbiter

space1 year ago

"Stunning Views: Mars Spacecraft Captures Volcanoes, Noctis Labyrinthus, and Phobos Photobomb"

The European Space Agency's Mars Express Orbiter captured a detailed image of Mars, revealing giant volcanoes, valleys, craters, clouds, and the moon Phobos. The image showcases Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system, along with three other colossal shield volcanoes. Mars is covered in craters due to its proximity to the asteroid belt, and clouds made of water and carbon-dioxide ice can be seen at the poles. The planet's atmosphere has largely dissipated, leaving it intensely dry, but it was once a wet planet that could have supported primitive life.

space-exploration2 years ago

"Ice Water Deposits Found at Mars Equator by ESA's Mars Express Orbiter"

Europe's Mars Express orbiter may have discovered massive ice water deposits below the surface of Mars, estimated to be around 3.7 kilometers thick, challenging previous assumptions about the planet's history and potential for sustaining life. The discovery, located at the equator rather than the poles, has excited scientists about the potential for future human exploration missions, although the protective layer of dust or ash above the ice may complicate access.