All articles tagged with #marsmission
NASA is developing a solar electric plane called MAGGIE (Mars Aerial and Ground Intelligent Explorer) for future Mars missions, following the success of the Ingenuity helicopter. This fixed-wing aircraft is designed to perform global-scale atmospheric measurements on Mars and represents a significant advancement in space technology. The project is part of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program.
Researchers have developed an optimal vegetarian salad for male astronauts on long-term space missions to Mars, consisting of soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potato, and sunflower seeds. This meal is designed to meet the higher caloric and micronutrient needs of astronauts in microgravity while also being sustainable and tasty. The ingredients can be grown in space, minimizing resource use and waste. Taste tests have shown positive results, and future research will focus on meals for female astronauts and expanding ingredient variety.
NASA has successfully tested a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE), achieving a new thrust record and demonstrating the potential for more efficient and powerful space travel. This engine could significantly reduce the amount of propellant needed for missions, making it cheaper and more feasible to reach destinations like Mars. The RDRE's design, which includes 3D printed parts, offers a promising advancement towards NASA's goal of a manned Mars mission in the 2030s.