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Mars Sample Return Mission

All articles tagged with #mars sample return mission

science-and-technology1 year ago•2 min saved

NASA's JPL to Cut 325 Jobs Amid Budget Constraints

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California is laying off 325 employees, about 5% of its workforce, due to budget constraints. This follows a previous layoff of 530 employees earlier this year. The cuts are part of a broader effort to align with reduced funding, including a significant decrease in the budget for the Mars Sample Return mission. Despite generating substantial economic output, NASA has faced budget reductions, impacting projects like the VIPER rover mission to the Moon.

via Futurism|

#budget-cuts #jet-propulsion-laboratory #layoffs

spacescience1 year ago•2 min saved

"Budget Cuts and Layoffs: How Congressional Gridlock is Impacting NASA's Mars Mission"

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory laid off 530 employees and 40 contractors due to anticipated budget cuts, affecting about 8% of its workforce, as the agency prepares for potential funding reductions for the Mars Sample Return mission. California lawmakers have protested the cuts, emphasizing the impact on local workers and the setback to scientific and space leadership. The mission, a joint effort with the European Space Agency, has faced delays and cost overruns, prompting an independent review, with recommendations expected in March or April.

via Los Angeles Times|

#budget-cuts #jet-propulsion-laboratory #layoffs

spacescience1 year ago•2 min saved

"NASA's JPL in California to Lay Off 530 Workers Due to Funding Shortage"

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California is laying off 530 workers and 40 contractors due to a lack of federal funding, representing about 8% of its workforce, as it awaits funding for the Mars Sample Return mission. The lab had already implemented cost-cutting measures, including a hiring freeze and reduced contracts, but the layoffs became necessary to adhere to budget constraints. Employees impacted by the layoffs will receive base pay and benefits for 60 days, as well as severance packages and transitional benefits. U.S. Rep. Judy Chu is working to reverse the budget cuts and restore funding to support scientific discovery at JPL.

via Fox News|

#funding #jet-propulsion-laboratory #layoffs

space2 years ago•6 min saved

"Perseverance Rover Uncovers Ancient Martian Lake's History"

NASA's Perseverance rover has successfully completed its primary mission on Mars, collecting intriguing Martian rocks and soil samples. Initial analysis of the samples reveals the presence of carbonate-rich minerals, minuscule silica grains, and iron phosphate, suggesting the potential for preserving organic molecules and the availability of phosphorus for life. The rover has also reached a significant milestone of 1,000 Mars days on the Red Planet. In a bonus mission starting next spring, Perseverance will climb the rim of Jezero Crater, exploring an area that may have interacted with ancient Martian groundwater and uncovering rocks that are much older. The collected samples will be returned to Earth in the 2030s for further analysis.

via Space.com|

#jezero-crater #mars #mars-sample-return-mission

space-exploration2 years ago•5 min saved

Revamping the Mars Program: A Fresh Perspective

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, with a projected cost of $10 billion, threatens to consume funding for other Mars exploration missions for the next 15 years. Aerospace engineer Robert Zubrin suggests an alternative program that could send 20 missions to Mars for the same cost, allowing for a wider range of exploration sites and instruments. He argues that a robust program would provide a greater scientific return and reduce mission risk compared to the MSR mission, which faces technical and programmatic challenges. Zubrin calls for a study comparing the two programs and urges Congress to demand transparency from NASA.

via SpaceNews|

#alternative-program #mars-exploration #mars-sample-return-mission

space2 years ago•2 min saved

"Resilient Mars Chopper Defies Expectations, Awaits Sequel"

NASA's Mars Ingenuity helicopter, which has far exceeded its original 30-day mission, is now being replaced with a more robust version. Engineers have been testing updated carbon fiber rotor blades that are longer and have a different design. The helicopter's involvement is now planned for a Mars sample return mission instead of the initial "fetch" rover concept. Ingenuity has set new altitude and speed records, and engineers are pushing its capabilities further. The testing has provided a unique opportunity to combine Earth-based simulations with real-world Martian conditions.

via The Register|

#carbon-fiber-rotor-blades #mars-ingenuity-helicopter #mars-sample-return-mission

space2 years ago•3 min saved

"Perseverance Rover Unveils Exciting New Mars Discovery"

NASA's Perseverance rover, accompanied by the Ingenuity helicopter, continues to explore Mars' Jezero Crater in search of evidence of ancient microbial life. The rover recently shared images of a rock it found in an ancient riverbed, planning to take a sample for the upcoming Mars Sample Return mission. Perseverance also posted a picture of its current location, expressing excitement about what lies ahead. The Ingenuity helicopter has been capturing aerial imagery to assist the rover in planning its routes. NASA is pleased with Ingenuity's success and plans to develop more advanced versions for future missions.

via Digital Trends|

#jezero-crater #mars #mars-sample-return-mission

space2 years ago•2 min saved

Mars Rover Discovers Intriguing Doughnut-Shaped Rock

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured an image of a donut-shaped rock on Mars using its Remote Microscopic Imager. Oddly-shaped rocks are common on Mars due to wind and dust storms, and this rock may have formed after smaller rocks eroded near its center. The rock, along with previous discoveries, suggests the presence of meteorite impacts on the Martian surface. Perseverance continues to explore the Jezero Crater, collecting samples that will be retrieved by the Mars Sample Return mission to study Mars' geological and environmental evolution and the possibility of past life.

via Universe Today|

#mars #mars-exploration #mars-sample-return-mission

spaceflight2 years ago•3 min saved

Ingenuity captures stunning aerial photo of Perseverance on 51st Mars flight.

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter took a photo of the Perseverance rover during its 51st flight on Mars, capturing the rover motionless in the planet's red soil in the background. The 4-pound dual-rotor helicopter was originally intended to make just five flights in the thin Martian atmosphere to determine if flight was feasible on the Red Planet. Ingenuity has become somewhat of a scout for Perseverance, helping identify locations of interest for the rover on its mission to seek out signs of ancient life on the Red Planet.

via Space.com|

#aerial-photo #ingenuity-helicopter #mars