Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover has detected complex, ring-shaped carbon molecules inside rocks in Mars's Jezero Crater, an ancient lake and river delta. The molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen—the same four elements that form the basis of all life on Earth. The compounds were found trapped in carbonate and sulfate minerals, indicating that ancient liquid water transported and preserved them. However, the rover's instruments cannot determine whether these molecules were produced by ancient Martian microbes or by non-biological chemical processes such as volcanic reactions or meteorite impacts. The discovery reinforces the importance of returning Martian rock samples to Earth, as only laboratory analysis can resolve the origin of these organic compounds. Perseverance has sealed rock cores in titanium tubes for a future sample-return mission.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 07:55 PM UTC

NASA's Perseverance rover has detected complex, ring-shaped carbon molecules preserved inside rocks in Mars's Jezero Crater, an ancient lake and river delta. The molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen—the same four elements that form the basis of all life on Earth. However, scientists cannot yet determine whether these organic compounds were produced by ancient microbial life or by non-biological chemical processes such as volcanic reactions or meteorite impacts. The carbon was trapped inside carbonate and sulfate minerals that form in water, suggesting ancient liquid water transported and concentrated these compounds. Perseverance is sealing rock cores in titanium tubes for a future mission to return them to Earth, where more sophisticated instruments can analyze them. The discovery shifts Mars research from asking whether Mars was habitable to investigating how far Martian chemistry progressed toward life.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 07:55 PM UTC

This article from The Hindu archives, dated July 27, 1976, reports on the successful repair of a jam in the Viking lander's soil-sampling arm on Mars. Commands from Earth straightened out the hitch after scientists at JPL discovered that extending the arm would cause a problematic lockpin to fall away, which it did. The Viking project manager expressed satisfaction and readiness to proceed. Additionally, new close-up images of the Chryse plain revealed a rock that appeared to bear the Roman letters 'B' and 'C' and the Arabic numeral '2'. Scientists, including Carl Sagan and Bruce Murray, attributed these markings to optical illusions caused by shadowing, cautioning against imagining patterns.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 06:46 PM UTC

On July 20, 1976, the American unmanned Viking space probe lander successfully touched down on Mars after an 11-month, 800 million-kilometre journey from Earth. The 600 kg craft landed on the Martian plain of Chryse, using its three slender aluminium legs. Within 25 seconds of landing, it transmitted two exceptionally clear photographs showing hills, small rocks, and gravel. Scientists at Mission Control in Pasadena speculated that the terrain, visible up to three to five kilometres away, could be composed of volcanic lava or basalt. The ground was soft with rocks and gravel, but the legs did not sink. Some rocks, about 30 cm across, had sharp angles suggesting breakage by sandstorms. The second panoramic picture revealed dunes alongside hills. Each photograph took five minutes to complete, line by line, and 35 minutes to reach Earth.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 06:52 PM UTC

The next meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) will be held in Bengaluru in the first week of August 2026, as announced by Eric Atkins, Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Consulate General. The CSJWG, established in 2005, facilitates bilateral discussions between ISRO, NASA, and other government agencies. The two countries have collaborated on space programs including the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission launched in 2025. During the announcement, visiting NASA JPL scientist Swati Mohan highlighted achievements of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, which has exceeded its prime mission duration and successfully collected samples showing potential signs of past life on Mars. She also noted that NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has completed over 70 flights since 2021. Mohan explained Mars' sustained scientific interest due to its similar gravity, atmosphere, and mineral composition to Earth.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 03:49 PM UTC

Astrophysicist and science writer Adam Becker argues that toxic, fine Martian dust is a critical and overlooked problem for Elon Musk's vision of a self-sustaining city on Mars. In an interview, Becker explains that the dust would cling to spacesuits, contaminate habitats, water, food, and human bodies, making long-term settlement extremely difficult. He notes that underground shelters would not solve the issue. Becker and UC Berkeley professor Alexei Filippenko highlight additional challenges including radiation exposure during the 6-9 month trip, low gravity, lack of breathable atmosphere, and absence of a magnetic field. Filippenko calls Musk overly optimistic and says a colony is 'not theoretically impossible' but far harder and longer than imagined. Becker concludes that Mars would likely only support a small, depressing research outpost of people living in tunnels.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 08:11 AM UTC

This review highlights Episode 8, "Brave New World," as the strongest installment of For All Mankind's fifth season. The episode features intense political maneuvering and dangerous action sequences. On Mars, Happy Valley faces a food crisis after crop domes were destroyed, while the M-6 alliance between the US and USSR crumbles due to economic collapse. In response, Earth sends a multinational military team to retake Kuznetsov Station on the Goldilocks asteroid. To counter this, Mars leaders Celia Boyd and Lenya Polivanov execute a daring mission, flying a hopper loaded with volatile explosives through a storm to destroy the station's dock. The resulting explosion kills Sergeant Ruiz, deeply affecting recruit Avery "AJ" Jarrett. Meanwhile, interpersonal drama unfolds in Happy Valley as Alex joins new law enforcement services, causing tension with Lily, who channels her grief into filmmaking. On Titan, the Sojourner crew lands off-target, forcing Kelly Baldwin to manage troubleshooting efforts while hiding her previous sabotage from a spiraling Walt. The episode is praised for its visual storytelling, acting, and high-stakes narrative developments.

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On May 15, 2026, NASA’s Psyche spacecraft successfully performed a critical gravity-assist flyby of Mars, passing approximately 2,800 miles above the surface. This maneuver utilized Mars’ gravitational pull to adjust the probe’s trajectory and accelerate it toward its final destination, the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, while conserving propellant. The flyby also allowed scientists to cal onboard instruments for future observations. Scheduled to reach the asteroid in 2029, the mission aims to study the exposed core of a protoplanet, offering insights into planetary formation.

14 reports · 11 sources · Updated May 25, 09:00 AM UTC

A new study published in the journal Icarus challenges the hypothesis that Earth's co-orbital asteroids, such as Kamo'oalewa, are fragments blasted from the Moon. While spectral analysis previously suggested these objects matched lunar silicates, researchers Elisa Alessi and Robert Jedicke used supercomputer simulations to model the orbital dynamics of debris ejected from the lunar surface. Their findings indicate that the energy required to launch a rock into a stable co-orbital path is immense, making a lunar origin statistically unlikely, with a probability of only 4.3% for objects larger than 10 meters. In contrast, simulations using the NEOMOD3 model suggest the main asteroid belt is a far more probable source, potentially supplying around 1,600 such co-orbitals. The debate may soon be resolved by China's Tianwen-2 mission, which launched in May 2025 and is currently approaching Kamo'oalewa to collect surface samples. If the samples prove to be lunar material, it would necessitate a significant revision of current understanding regarding lunar impact mechanics and crater-scaling laws.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) has released striking new images from its Mars Express orbiter, showcasing the rugged landscape of Shalbatana Vallis, a massive channel system near Mars' equator. Captured by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC), the images highlight "chaotic terrain," a geological feature formed when underground ice melted billions of years ago, causing the surface to collapse into fractured, jumbled rock blocks. This collapse likely triggered catastrophic floods approximately 3.5 billion years ago, which surged downhill and carved out the winding valleys visible today. The main channel depicted spans roughly 800 miles in length, with sections measuring about 6 miles wide and plunging 1,640 feet deep. These visuals provide further evidence of the significant role water played in shaping the Martian surface in its ancient past. The release underscores the ongoing scientific value of the Mars Express mission in understanding the planet's hydrological history and geological evolution, offering researchers detailed insights into the mechanisms behind these dramatic landscape transformations.

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SpaceX successfully conducted a critical wet dress rehearsal for its upgraded Starship Version 3 rocket at the Starbase facility in Texas. This milestone, involving the full fueling of the record-breaking 408-foot vehicle with over 5,000 metric tons of propellant, validates systems ahead of the twelfth integrated flight test. Scheduled for mid-May 2026 from a new launch pad, the mission aims to demonstrate enhanced payload capacity and heat shield performance. This progress is vital for NASA’s Artemis lunar program and future Mars exploration goals, pending final regulatory approval.

31 reports · 19 sources · Updated May 28, 07:16 AM UTC

NASA engineers successfully freed the Curiosity rover’s drill after a rock nicknamed “Atacama” became wedged in the mechanism on Mars. Occurring in late April 2026, this unprecedented incident required a week of complex remote maneuvers, including tilting and spinning the robotic arm, to dislodge the 28.6-pound fragment. The rock finally fractured and fell on May 1, allowing the rover to resume its geological exploration of Gale Crater without damage. This event highlights the engineering ingenuity required for interplanetary missions and ensures the continued operation of the long-running science laboratory.

7 reports · 4 sources · Updated May 15, 02:45 PM UTC

NASA's Perseverance rover has transmitted a new selfie to Earth from the Lac de Charmes region on Mars, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing mission. The image was captured on March 11, 2026, during the rover's 1,797th Martian day, as part of its fifth scientific campaign, known as the North Rim Campaign. This location represents the furthest west the rover has traveled since landing in Jezero Crater over five years ago. According to NASA scientist Katie Stack Morgan, the site offers valuable views of both the crater rim and the surrounding terrain. In addition to the selfie, composed of 61 images, the rover created a mosaic of the Arbot area to study ancient rock formations, including megabreccias likely caused by a massive meteorite impact 3.9 billion years ago. Having already collected 27 rock cores and traveled approximately 42 kilometers, Perseverance is now preparing to move to the Gardevarri site to analyze olivine-rich rocks for insights into Mars' volcanic history, before heading to Singing Canyon to investigate the primitive Martian crust.

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Don Juan Pond, located in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, is a unique body of water that remains liquid even at temperatures as low as minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit. With a salinity exceeding 40%, primarily due to high concentrations of calcium chloride, it is one of the saltiest lakes on Earth, surpassing the Dead Sea and ocean water significantly. This extreme salinity gives the pond a syrupy consistency and prevents ice crystal formation. Scientists are particularly interested in the pond because its harsh, cold, and dry conditions closely resemble those on Mars, offering insights into potential microbial life and hypersaline features on the Red Planet. The origin of the pond's water remains a subject of scientific debate. While a 2013 study suggested atmospheric moisture trapped by soil salts feeds the pond, a 2017 study revived the hypothesis that deep groundwater systems are the primary source. Understanding this mechanism has significant implications for astrobiology and the search for life on Mars, suggesting that if life persists in such extreme Antarctic conditions, similar ecosystems might exist or have existed elsewhere in the solar system.

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In May 2026, several major corporations announced significant leadership transitions. Banco Comafi appointed Gonzalo Gutiérrez as its new CEO, replacing Francisco Cerviño after fourteen years. Banco Supervielle strengthened its treasury capabilities by hiring Juan Manuel Truppia as Chief Treasury and Global Markets officer. In the technology sector, Motorola Solutions named Luciano Campolonghi as Country Manager for Argentina and Territory Director for the Southern Cone of Latin America. Chemical giant Dow appointed Luciano Oostdijk as Director of Operations for its Bahía Blanca industrial complex, succeeding Paula Woolbert. Consumer goods company Mars hired Guadalupe Pérez Torelli as Marketing Director for South Latam, while Mastercard appointed Florencia Solazzi as Cluster Leader for Argentina and Uruguay. These appointments reflect strategic shifts in banking, industrial operations, and regional management across Latin America, aiming to enhance business growth and operational efficiency in dynamic market environments.

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NASA is currently testing a next-generation, radiation-hardened computer chip designed to significantly enhance the autonomy and performance of future spacecraft. Developed through a partnership between NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Microchip Technology Inc., the High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor offers computational speeds up to 500 times greater than current spaceflight computers. The chip is undergoing rigorous testing at JPL, including radiation, thermal, and shock simulations, to ensure it can withstand the harsh conditions of deep space. Early results indicate the processor functions as intended, enabling advanced onboard artificial intelligence for faster scientific analysis and independent decision-making. This technology is crucial for upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars, where communication delays necessitate greater spacecraft independence. The project represents a major leap in spaceflight computing, aiming to replace older, less capable processors with fault-tolerant, high-performance systems that can handle complex tasks like planetary landing scenarios without constant Earth-based intervention.

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The European Space Agency's Mars Express mission has highlighted Shalbatana Vallis, a massive valley near Mars's equator, as a key site for understanding the planet's hydrological history. Stretching approximately 1,300 kilometers, this valley was carved around 3.5 billion years ago by catastrophic groundwater floods that burst onto the surface. Recent high-resolution images from the spacecraft's High Resolution Stereo Camera reveal a complex landscape featuring deep winding channels, collapsed chaotic terrain, lava-smoothed plains, and volcanic ash deposits. Scientists believe the chaotic terrain formed when underground ice melted, causing the ground above to collapse. The valley connects the southern highlands to the northern lowlands of Chryse Planitia, where many outflow channels converge. This geological evidence supports the hypothesis that Mars was once significantly warmer and wetter, potentially hosting a large ancient ocean in its northern regions. The findings provide critical insights into the Red Planet's climatic evolution and the dynamic interplay between water, volcanic activity, and surface stability billions of years ago.

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Archaeologists from France’s National Institute of Preventative Archaeological Research (INRAP) have uncovered fragments of a rare life-size mural depicting the Greek hero Achilles in Reims, France. Dating to the 2nd century CE, the fresco was found in the ruins of a luxurious Roman domus on the western outskirts of the ancient city of Durocortorum. The artwork, an example of megalography, illustrates the mythological tale of Achilles and Deidamia, highlighting the cultural sophistication and elite tastes of Roman Gaul. This discovery is particularly significant as similar frescoes have only been documented in four other locations: Aquileia, Pompeii, Rome, and now Reims. Alongside the mural, excavators discovered three opulent bronze statuettes, including figures of Mars, a bull, and a complex female deity, within a fire-damaged room. These artifacts suggest the residence belonged to a wealthy and influential family, possibly serving as a peaceful second home for local elites. The find provides new insights into the artistic connections between provincial capitals and the Roman heartlands, demonstrating the widespread reach of imperial culture and the high status of residents living far from the empire's central urban hubs.

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In a historic milestone for space exploration, China successfully landed its Zhu Rong rover on Mars, becoming the third country in the world to achieve this feat after the United States and the former Soviet Union. The landing occurred in the Utopia Planitia region of southern Mars following a seven-month journey and a critical descent phase known as the 'nine minutes of terror,' during which radio signal delays prevented real-time control from Earth. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed the successful touchdown of the Tianwen-1 lander via telemetry signals. President Xi Jinping issued a congratulatory message, describing the mission as a significant step in China's space exploration efforts and urging scientists to continue accelerating the nation's development as a space power. This achievement marks a major advancement in China's aerospace capabilities, joining an exclusive club of nations capable of complex interplanetary missions. The event highlights the growing competition and collaboration potential in global space science, demonstrating China's technical prowess in orbital insertion, autonomous landing, and surface operations on another planet.

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This article provides a comprehensive daily horoscope forecast for all twelve zodiac signs for Friday, May 15, 2026, authored by Claire Petulengro for the Evening Standard. The guide offers personalized astrological insights, advising readers on how to navigate various aspects of their lives, including communication, finance, relationships, and personal growth. Key themes include the importance of clarity and boundary-setting for Aries, financial stability for Taurus, and improved communication for Gemini. Other signs receive guidance on family tensions, career recognition, organizational skills, balance, intuition, travel plans, determination, creativity, and emotional grace. The text emphasizes trusting instincts, embracing honesty, and taking steady steps toward goals. Additionally, the article includes contact information for premium astrological phone services, detailing costs and access requirements for readers seeking more in-depth personal readings. This content serves as a lifestyle and entertainment feature, aiming to provide spiritual or psychological guidance through astrological interpretations rather than reporting on factual news events or specific occurrences.

1 reports · 1 sources

On May 15, 2026, NASA's Psyche spacecraft performed a critical gravity assist maneuver by flying past Mars to gain velocity for its journey to the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche. Passing within 4,500 kilometers of the Martian surface, the probe utilized the planet's gravitational pull to accelerate without consuming fuel, a technique that saves significant time and resources compared to using its efficient but low-thrust Hall effect ion engines. This celestial handshake allows the spacecraft to steal momentum from Mars, which orbits the Sun at approximately 24 kilometers per second. Beyond the navigational boost, the flyby served as a valuable opportunity for engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to stress-test scientific instruments. The mission team calibrated the magnetometer, gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, and multispectral imager while monitoring cosmic ray flux and searching for potential dusty rings around Mars. Engineers confirmed the maneuver's success by analyzing Doppler shifts in radio signals. The primary objective remains reaching 16 Psyche, a unique nickel-iron asteroid believed to be the exposed core of an ancient protoplanet, marking the first exploration of such a metal world.

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NASA's Psyche spacecraft is approaching Mars for a critical gravity assist maneuver designed to adjust its trajectory and conserve xenon propellant for the remainder of its journey. Scheduled for May 14, 2026, the probe will pass within 2,800 miles of the Red Planet at approximately 19,848 kph. This slingshot effect is essential for setting the spacecraft on its final course toward the Psyche asteroid, located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Launched in October 2023, the mission utilizes solar-electric ion thrusters for the first time on an interplanetary voyage. During the flyby, the operations team will also calibrate scientific instruments, including specialized cameras. The probe is expected to reach its destination in August 2029, where it will orbit the metal-rich asteroid for 26 months. Scientists believe Psyche is the exposed core of an ancient protoplanet, composed largely of iron and nickel. The mission aims to provide insights into the formation of rocky planets like Earth, rather than pursuing space mining opportunities. The spacecraft is projected to end its mission in 2031 after completing its detailed survey of the celestial body.

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A collaborative effort involving Navy medicine, the Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA, and academic institutions like Johns Hopkins University is addressing critical human performance issues associated with long-duration space missions. Dr. Michael Schubert highlights that extended exposure to microgravity significantly impairs astronauts' balance and mobility, often requiring assistance to walk upon return to gravity. This poses serious safety risks for future missions to Mars or other locations where immediate egress from landing capsules might be necessary. The research focuses on how the vestibular system reorients during spaceflight and struggles to readapt to gravitational fields. Rich Folga explains the strategic advantage of co-locating these experts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which houses unique complementary technologies like the human centrifuge and the Kraken motion device. This integrated approach allows researchers to flexibly utilize specialized equipment to simulate changing gravity conditions and study physiological responses. The initiative aims to build durable capabilities to support harder, longer missions by understanding and mitigating the effects of space travel on human balance, vision, and environmental perception.

1 reports · 1 sources

NASA's Psyche spacecraft has captured a stunning, unprocessed image of Mars appearing as a bright silver crescent, clarifying that the visual is not a solar eclipse. The image was taken on May 13, 2026, as the asteroid-bound probe approached the Red Planet for a scheduled flyby on May 15. NASA shared the photograph on its social media channels, explaining that the glowing arc results from sunlight reflecting off the Martian day side and passing through the planet's atmosphere. The agency noted that irregularities in the crescent shape are likely caused by surface features, dust, and clouds within the Martian atmosphere. This rare perspective shows the night side of Mars as the spacecraft closes in. The upcoming flyby will bring Psyche within approximately 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) of Mars, traveling at speeds of 12,333 miles per hour (19,848 kph). This close encounter allows the mission to capture detailed imagery and utilize the planet's gravity for trajectory adjustments before continuing its primary journey to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. The event highlights the technical capabilities of the probe and offers the public a unique view of our planetary neighbor.

1 reports · 1 sources

Recent analysis of high-resolution images from the European Space Agency's Mars Express Orbiter reveals that Shalbatana Vallis, a 1300-kilometer ancient water channel on Mars, was formed by a single catastrophic flooding event approximately 3.5 billion years ago. Unlike rivers that carve landscapes gradually over millions of years, this channel resulted from the rapid release of pressurized groundwater or ice, potentially triggered by a massive impact. The sudden surge caused the surface material to collapse, creating the distinctive jumbled chaos terrain observed at the channel's origin in Orson Welles crater. The water flowed northward, terminating in Chryse Planitia, supporting scientific theories that this region was once covered by an ancient ocean. This discovery provides significant evidence of Mars' wet and dynamic past, replacing early speculative theories about Martian canals with concrete geological data. The findings highlight how modern orbital imagery has transformed our understanding of Martian hydrology, confirming that liquid water once flowed violently across the planet's surface, shaping its topography through brief but intense episodes of flooding rather than sustained river systems.

1 reports · 1 sources

NASA's Psyche spacecraft is currently executing a critical maneuver by swinging past Mars this week to utilize the planet's gravity for a speed boost. This flyby is an essential part of its journey toward a rare metal-rich asteroid located in the main asteroid belt. During this close encounter, the spacecraft is capturing thousands of images of Mars and its moons. These images serve as a vital practice run for the scientific instruments, ensuring they are fully calibrated and ready for the primary mission objective: the detailed study of the Psyche asteroid upon arrival in 2029. The gravity assist technique allows the spacecraft to conserve fuel while adjusting its trajectory and speed efficiently. This mission represents a significant step in space exploration, aiming to provide insights into the formation of planetary cores by studying a unique metallic world. The successful execution of this flyby demonstrates the precision of NASA's navigation systems and sets the stage for the historic encounter expected later this decade.

1 reports · 1 sources

NASA's Perseverance rover has released a striking new selfie taken from the rugged western rim of Jezero Crater on Mars. Captured on March 11, 2026, during the rover's 1,797th Martian day, the image was assembled from 61 individual photographs in a region known as Lac de Charmes. The selfie showcases the robotic explorer perched on a jagged outcrop against a backdrop of ancient terrain, fractured cliffs, and windswept landscapes. This location marks Perseverance's deepest journey into the western frontier beyond the crater, offering scientists a valuable window into the Red Planet's distant past. Ken Farley, the deputy project scientist, highlighted that the site exposes some of the oldest rocks investigated during the mission, featuring sharp ridgelines and potential volcanic dikes. The image also reveals a freshly drilled abrasion patch, indicating ongoing geological analysis. By studying these ancient formations, researchers aim to uncover clues about Mars' geological history and environmental conditions billions of years ago. The release of this high-resolution mosaic underscores the continued success of the Mars 2020 mission in exploring complex terrains and expanding our understanding of planetary evolution.

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SpaceX is actively scouting domestic and international locations to construct the world's most advanced spaceports, aiming to support thousands of annual Starship flights. CEO Elon Musk announced this expansion on social media, emphasizing the need for multiple viable launch sites to accommodate the high cadence enabled by Starship's rapid reusability. Unlike traditional expendable rockets, Starship is designed for quick turnaround with limited refurbishment, significantly reducing launch costs. This infrastructure push coincides with SpaceX's preparation for a potential June initial public offering, which could value the company at approximately $1.75 trillion and raise up to $75 billion. Currently, SpaceX operates from Starbase in Texas and is developing facilities in Florida. The company also reportedly discusses a deal with Alphabet Inc. to place data centers in orbit. These developments highlight SpaceX's strategic move toward treating spaceports like airports, facilitating frequent launches for Mars colonization, satellite deployment, and global transportation goals amidst surging global commercial launch activity.

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NASA's Perseverance rover has traveled nearly 26 miles (42 km) across the Martian surface, approaching the distance of a full marathon. Since landing in Jezero Crater in February 2021, the rover has abraded and studied 62 rocks and collected 27 rock cores. Recently, it captured a composite selfie at a location nicknamed Lac de Charmes, situated just west of the crater's rim. This area features Arathusa, a rocky outcrop that may predate the formation of Jezero Crater and consists of igneous minerals. The region also contains megabreccia, massive rock fragments likely ejected by an ancient meteorite impact on Isidis Planitia 3.9 billion years ago. Scientists describe this zone as the 'Wild West' of the mission, offering access to some of the oldest and most geologically diverse rocks encountered so far. These findings provide crucial insights into Mars' crustal composition and planetary history. The rover continues its exploration beyond the crater rim, analyzing pristine rock compositions by removing weathered outer layers, akin to geological practices on Earth.

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NASA's Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to perform a gravity-assist flyby of Mars this Friday, marking a critical milestone in its six-year journey to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche. Launching in October 2023, the probe will pass within 2,800 miles of the Red Planet at approximately 12,333 miles per hour. This maneuver utilizes Mars' gravitational field to adjust the spacecraft's trajectory and conserve propellant for the remainder of its 2.2-billion-mile voyage. While the primary objective is navigational, the mission team plans to capture images for a time-lapse sequence and test scientific instruments, including optical communications technology. Scientists believe the target asteroid, located in the belt between Mars and Jupiter, may be the exposed core of a protoplanet, offering valuable insights into the formation of terrestrial planets like Earth. The spacecraft is expected to reach and begin orbiting the asteroid in late 2029, where it will spend two years studying its composition and surface features. This event highlights ongoing efforts to understand the early solar system through direct exploration of unique celestial bodies.

1 reports · 1 sources