...Mars is not easy to reach or explore. Nearly two-thirds of all missions have failed. However, in recent years, the United States has had more success landing rovers. Of recent missions, two rovers essentially crash-landed in a cocoon of airbags and one soft-landed. The first lander, Sojourner, part of the Mars Pathfinder mission, was about the size of a milk crate and weighed 33 pounds. It landed using airbags on July 4, 1997, and stayed active 10 times longer than scheduled (NASA, Chronology of Mars Exploration 1). The next missions were the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which were launched a few weeks apart and landed on opposite sides of the planet in the summer of 2003, also using airbag technology. They both were the size of golf carts and outlasted their scheduled missions many times over. Curiosity landed in August 2012 and is the largest and most ambitious rover. The size and mass of a Mini Cooper, it survived a complex soft landing. Curiosity also supports the most complex science, containing drills, lasers, and a small analytical laboratory (Gibson 289). Curiosity can communicate with Earth in three ways. First, Curiosity can engage in direct communication from the rover to Earth’s Deep Space Network. Second, Curiosity can use a fast relay via the orbiting Mars Odyssey spacecraft. Finally, Curiosity can utilize a slow relay to communicate via the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The scientific missions have focused on whether Mars once harbored flowing water. Specifically...
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...Mars Rovers Mars is not easy to reach or explore. Nearly two-thirds of all missions have failed. However, in recent years, the United States has had more success landing rovers. Of recent missions, two rovers essentially crash-landed in a cocoon of airbags and one soft-landed. The first lander, Sojourner, part of the Mars Pathfinder mission, was about the size of a milk crate and weighed 33 pounds. It landed using airbags on July 4, 1997, and stayed active 10 times longer than scheduled. The next missions were the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which were launched a few weeks apart and landed on opposite sides of the planet in the summer of 2003, also using airbag technology (NASA 1) . They both were the size of golf carts and outlasted their scheduled missions many times over. Curiosity landed in August 2012 and is the largest and most ambitious rover. The size and mass of a Mini Cooper, it survived a complex soft landing (Gibson 289). Curiosity also supports the most complex science, containing drills, lasers, and a small analytical laboratory. Curiosity can communicate with Earth in three ways. First, Curiosity can engage in direct communication from the rover to Earth’s Deep Space Network. Second, Curiosity can use a fast relay via the orbiting Mars Odyssey spacecraft. Finally, Curiosity can utilize a slow relay to communicate via the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The scientific missions have focused on whether Mars once harbored flowing water. Specifically, the...
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...recorded by NASA from what images their rovers have sent back along with experiment data. This information is very important to future exploration of Mars. Viking 1/2. NASA has sent many rovers and landers to Mars. Viking 1 and 2 were landers that were sent to monitor the atmosphere of Mars. On SOL (SOL is referred to as one martian day) 1742, Viking 1 witnessed a dust storm Also right there in front of the lander was a big martian rock call “Big Joe.” The Viking 2 was also a lander and was sent to another part of Mars to do the same thing as Viking 1. When Viking 2 landed there were frost deposits in the area. (Kiefer, Treiman, & Clifford, Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2018) Mars pathfinder. Pathfinder was the first geologist on Mars. Pathfinder was a lander that had a rover companion known as Sojourner. The landing site was thought to be carved by ancient floods. Sojourner was equipped with an Alpha Photon X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) which was used to analyze the chemical composition of the rocks and soil. Barnacle Bill is a medium sized rock that was tested by Sojourner’s APXS and the results had showed that the rock could contain andesite. Researchers thought that most of the volcanic rocks on Mars would be mostly made of basalt. (Tarbuck & Lutgens, 2000) Mars exploration rovers. NASA has sent many rovers to Mars to explore the planet. Two exploration rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, were sent to Mars with a mission to explore. Spirit had outlasted her mission till 2011 when...
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...Pat Mouwdy 0831545 ESS 102 AE The Curiosity Mars Rover has become a Twitter celebrity these past couple years. In the upcoming science-fiction paper, we will be taking a look inside the mind of curiosity to see what his day-to-day life is like on Mars. Specifically, it will discuss Curiosity’s inception, construction, fictitious rise to sentience, journey to Mars, as well as give a glimpse into its first couple years on the Red Planet. The aim of this paper is to explore the technological advancements specific to robotic missions to space that were required in order to make the Curiosity mission possible. In today’s world, one tends to take robotic space travel for granted. However, it has not always been as easy as it is now. In fact, it is still a very complicated process that takes thousands of people and...
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...tested the limits, but that was the point. It has shown that humankind can succeed in reaching their goals that seem too out of reach. Sending people to Mars has the same effect. It will challenge technology and human limits, but sending a man to Mars would reestablish curiosity for the wonders of space, bring...
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...The Red Planet, Mars, is a rich destination for scientific discovery. For years scientists and astronauts have studied the formation and atmosphere on Mars through comparisons with Earth, in hope of one day making it habitable for humans. By the end of 2039, NASA aims to put humans on Mars and through future exploration uncover evidence of life, answering one of the “fundamental mysteries of the cosmos” . However this journey requires technology specifically designed to adjust to the alternate atmosphere on Mars. Once humans have landed, precautions must be ensured to minimize the impact of humans. But through this mission, scientists and astronauts can offer greater discoveries to humankind, more than what any robot can observe on Mars. Despite these great expectations, there are even greater consequences of space exploration. The journey to Mars will require extraordinary technology. NASA has predicted that the trip will last approximately six to eight months each way depending on the orbits of Earth and Mars....
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...The 900 kilogram mars rover Curiosity took damage to its aluminum wheels back some during a mission in 2013. The rocks on mars are sharp and dangerous, showing that they can even break apart the wheels. These rocks plus the harsh winds and dust storms, the Curiosity would be in deep in trouble. However, using smaller robots, different technology and new tactics we can see why and how these wheels broke, and how we can fix them. It could be because of the wheel pattern and design, a fatal design flaw or just as simple as the thickness of that aluminum tire. Every wheel on the rover has one dedicated motor for itself and can turn a full 360 degrees with six wheels in total. The two wheels on the front of the rover can turn in this very way....
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...the heavy influence the Apollo 11 mission had, not only on the world, but also on mankind, the year it was finally accomplished is the most important year of life The Apollo 11 mission was so significant in history because it resulted in the United States winning the Cold War. America partook in the Cold War mainly to prevent the spread of communism post World War II. At the time Kennedy proposed the Apollo mission to the nation, the United States was trailing the Soviet Union in space developments during the Cold War. The USSR had launched Sputnik, the first satellite, and successfully sent a man into space. In turn, America quickly created the Apollo program to prevent the Soviets from winning the Space Race. Through great wealth, technical skill, and determination, America soon landed their men on the moon. The Soviets, however, experienced a series of failures in its attempt to send its own men to the moon. The triumph of the Apollo program ended Soviet leadership in space exploration and dominance in heavy rocket launching technology for they were not able to match the large-scale efforts of America. (Dunbar, 2008) After the success of Apollo 11, the United States had clearly won the Space Race. This not only led America to win the Cold War, but also made America the new leader of the world. Winning the Cold War led to the collapse of communism and gave America a platform to the spread democracy and freedom worldwide. The Apollo 11 mission...
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...in building and operating the ISS include NASA, CSA, ESA,DSRI, CNES, ASI, NSC, INTA, SSC, NASDA, PKA and INPE. Exploration Technologies Corporation (known as SpaceX) is the name of the first privately owned company to send a cargo load to the station. On January 29, 1998, senior government officials from 15 countries met and signed agreements that would start the framework, design and development of the Space Station. Phase 1 started in February 1994 with the Shuttle-Mir program and concluded in June 1998. In January 2000, a three person crew will be launched and the station will be permanently inhabited. Phase III of the assembly is when the ISS is operational with a crew of seven members being able to live and work aboard the station. 2. Mars Science Laboratory: The main objective of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is to investigate Mar’s habitability, to study climate and geology, and collect data for a future manned mission to Mars. Mars Science Laboratory was launched on November 26, 2011 and Curiosity landed on August 6, 2012. The difference between MSL and the MER mission is that Curiosity does not have solar panels like MER’s Spirit and Opportunity. Curiosity has a nuclear power source and can operate at night, while Spirit and Opportunity relied on solar energy to function. Curiosity is also much larger and more complex than the previous rovers, with 10 times the amount of scientific instruments. Curiosity is also able to take higher resolution pictures...
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...by the many wonders of the universe and as time elapsed, technology increased, and the minds of human beings have evolved, extraterrestrial life remains a recurring interest. The rising curiosity of extraterrestrial life has plagued the minds of Scientists to common folk. People have held various theories based on their imagination on what life would resemble. Over time, many great discoveries have been made as well as many excursions into outer space. Planets, stars, galaxies, comets, our moon and sun we’ve discovered. We have advanced enormously within the technology field and this advancement has enabled man to be educated about space and the wonders thereof. However, the greatest question of extraterrestrial life has not been answered. Many of us perceive life forms to be humanlike species or “Cycloptic” (one-eyed) creatures similar to the aliens depicted in Science fiction films. However we fail to realize the life can be as small as bacteria or as enormous as prehistoric creatures like dinosaurs. The planet Mars, is one which is very close to the characteristics of our very own earth and with recent missions to Mars in the search for life I believe that life does exist on Mars upon recent findings and also theories which dictate the requirements for life, the “Habitable Zone”. A NASA research team of scientists discovered evidence of what is believed to be primitive bacterial life on mars. The findings were from 1 of 12 meteorites found on earth believed to be from the...
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...Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) is a Mars orbiter (ISRO), that launched on November 5th, 2013. The Mars orbit insertion was on September 24, 2014. Curiosity,Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a Mars rover sent by NASA. It was launched on November 26th, 2011 and landed on August 6th, 2012. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in orbit around Mars was sent by NASA. It was launched on August 12th, 2005 and it arrived at Mars on March 10th, 2006.Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is currently roving across Mars and was sent by NASA. It was launched on July 7th, 2003 and landed on January 24th, 2004. Mars Express and Beagle 2 currently in orbit at Mars; failed lander (ESA) launched June 2nd, 2003 arrived at Mars on December 26th, 2003 2001 Mars Odyssey is currently in orbit at Mars and was also sent by NASA . It was launched on April 7th, 2001 arrived at Mars on October 24th,...
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...Most government agencies are wasteful. But NASA is a vital agency to this nation because it does push our country to develop technology. A lot of good science comes out of NASA. The sad thing is that NASA is run by politicians who cannot or do not understand the agencies mission or its value to the economy. NASA's budget, although large compared to the average income, is very small compared to the national budget. It is one of the few agencies of the US government that actually put more money into the economy that it takes out. I think it is a worthwhile endeavor to explore the things around us. One positive thing about human curiosity is the survival value it brings. According to News.com “A new private space industry could create ten thousand new jobs across the country in five years.” NASA and the aerospace industry provide thousands of jobs across the country they do more than just space exploration they also monitor our environment from space, procure satellites for other agencies and develop the next generation of aircraft technologies. I think President Obama’s reasons are not directly related to the current state of the economy. He has made clear that his priorities are the re-distribution of wealth away from those that are producing it to supply the needs of those that are not producing it. If the economy was booming, President Obama would not reinstate the programs he has canceled. But he will earn the political favor of those that he temporarily pretends to help...
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...as early as 400 BC, and developed advanced methods for predicting astronomical events such as eclipses. They made careful observations for their calendars and religious reasons, but never attempted to explain the phenomena they witnessed. The Babylonians called Mars Nergal - the great hero, the king of conflicts. The Egyptians were the first to notice that the stars seem "fixed" and that the sun moves relative to the stars. They also noticed five bight objects in the sky (Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn) that seemed to move in a similar manner. They called Mars Har Decher - the Red One. Greeks called the planet Ares after their god of war, while the Romans called it Mars. Its sign is thought to be the shield and sword of Mars” (NASA, 2015). Mars is the fourth planet from the sun and referred to as the god of War. The planet probably got this name due to its red color; Mars is sometimes referred to as the Red Planet. Mars has been known since prehistoric times, and of course, it has been extensively studied with ground-based observatories. But even very large telescopes find Mars a difficult target, it's just too small. It is still a favorite of science fiction writers as the most favorable place in the Solar System (other than Earth!) for human habitation. “The first person to watch Mars with a telescope was Galileo Galilei, and in the century after him, astronomers discovered its polar ice caps. In the 19th and 20th centuries, researchers...
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...can imagine and it has certainly come a long way. It started out as a mere idea. Perhaps an inspiration for scientists to haplessly ponder upon or the idea for some Sci-Fi novel. Now, that question is too close to being answered. NASA has come so far and now, they are just a few strategic steps away to giving us the news we all want to hear. NASA KNOWS THAT LIFE ONCE EXISTED ON MARS What NASA does know is that life on Mars certainly existed in the past. If it was "alien" life, they do not know, but they do know that life may even be possible today. If you remember 2013, just after the Curiosity rover landed, reports of a habitable environment was reported. Craters, where large amounts of surface water existed billions of years ago, were found. Because of this, scientists are positive full lakes and flowing streams existed here for long periods of time. So does that mean alien life existed on Mars or not? Well, NASA says that's complicated. WHAT IS ALIEN LIFE?...
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...so close to being able to get to Mars as Elon “Musk has said a crewed mission to Mars could launch in 2024 with arrival on Martian soil in 2025” (Masunaga, 2016, pg.2). Now for Elon Musk saying that a crew mission could launch in 2024 it will need a plan “For instance, the plan calls for spending several years researching a new heavy-lift launch vehicle for deep space exploration before committing to a design- a stretched out schedule that would likely produce little new technology but deprive engineering teams and production workers of anything to do for the better part of a decade” (Thompson, 2012, p.2). Current Technology Humans are only limited to the exploration of space because of current technology. Many people think that current technology is not advanced but as Popular Science (2014) stated, “ We know how to build satellites, and we’ve been communicating with spacecraft near Mars” (p.1). This means that humans are capable of communicating to each other on different planets millions of miles away. While others are continuing to be baffled by this, NASA has been conducting a simulation to test the emotional and mental effects of living on Mars, it is called the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation project (Ross, 2016). This creates an opportunity for proving to others that living on Mars isn’t crazy. Although no humans have set foot on Mars, many rovers have. One particular rover, Curiosity, may not do much but it helps collect evidence to help understand the...
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