Mars
A top Space Department official in India said on Saturday that India is all set to give the go-ahead for an ambitious mission to Mars, expected in November next year
Continue reading… “India set to go ahead with mission to Mars”
Dust Devil on Mars
New Mars photos show amazing activity.
For such a dead planet, Mars sure has got a lot of things going on. LIke this mini tornado, as captured by camera aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter:..
Continue reading… “Dust Devil on Mars”
Microscopic worms could hold the key to long-term space living
NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander’s solar panel and the lander’s robotic arm.
Microscopic worms which are biologically very similar to humans may be the key to helping humans colonize other planets like Mars by giving clues on coping with long-term space living, according to British scientists.
Continue reading… “Microscopic worms could hold the key to long-term space living”
NASA nuclear-powered rover to search for life’s habitats on Mars
Artist’s conception depicts the rover Curiosity.
A nuclear-powered rover as big as a compact car is set to begin a nine-month journey to Mars this weekend to learn if the planet is or ever was suitable for life.
Continue reading… “NASA nuclear-powered rover to search for life’s habitats on Mars”
Women to be among pioneering Mars explorers
Russian space agency rescuers helping US astronaut Cady Coleman leave the Soyuz TMA-20 capsule shortly after landing.
Men walked on the Moon, but according to a gathering of top female space experts this week, women will be among the pioneering explorers who someday step foot on Mars.
Continue reading… “Women to be among pioneering Mars explorers”
NASA considers fuel depots in space
In-orbit gas station
NASA is considering a proposal to put fuel depots in space while looking to accelerate plans to send astronauts to distant destinations.
Continue reading… “NASA considers fuel depots in space”
World’s oldest fossils could give clues about life on Mars
This cluster of cells is one example of the spheroidal and ellipsoidal microfossils found at the 3.4-billion-year-old.
Scientists say life thrived on Earth 3.4 billion years ago even though the world still had no oxygen. But now they say they have the world’s oldest fossils to prove it.
Continue reading… “World’s oldest fossils could give clues about life on Mars”
NASA discovers there may be flowing water on Mars
Dark seasonal streaks on crater walls could be flows of salty water.
We have known for a while now that ice exists on Mars. We have seen a lot of suggestions that liquid water may have once existed on the surface in huge rivers and oceans. But NASA has announced for the first time, they may have actually spotted some flowing, liquid water.
Continue reading… “NASA discovers there may be flowing water on Mars”
SpaceX Hopes to Put an Astronaut on Mars in 10-20 Years
Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, unveils the Falcon Heavy rocket at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, April 5, 2011.
SpaceX, a private US company, hopes to put an astronaut on Mars within 10 to 20 years, the head of the firm said.
Continue reading… “SpaceX Hopes to Put an Astronaut on Mars in 10-20 Years”
Scientist Explains Why Mars is Red (and How it Could Happen On Earth, too)
Mars is covered with a thin layer of radioactive substances including uranium, thorium and radioactive potassium.
Mars has not always been red. At least that is the theory proposed by a scientist who has discovered a reason as to how the red planet got its rosy color.
Continue reading… “Scientist Explains Why Mars is Red (and How it Could Happen On Earth, too)”
Astronauts Could One Day Reach Mars by Riding Asteroids
In 2005, Japan’s unmanned Hayabusa spacecraft (illustration) successfully landed on an asteroid.
Getting to Mars is going to involve building a huge spacecraft and loading it up with tons of fuel and radiation shielding. Unless, that is, we could just tag along with a spacecraft that’s already headed in that direction, like an asteroid.
Continue reading… “Astronauts Could One Day Reach Mars by Riding Asteroids”
