TroglocratsRdumb
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- Aug 11, 2017
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Today marks exactly 10 years since NASA's Curiosity rover touched down on Mars.
The one-tonne vehicle launched from Earth in November 2011 and – after an arduous nine-month journey which included the 'seven minutes of terror' down to the Martian surface – it set out to look for evidence that the Red Planet may once have supported life.
Since then, Curiosity has driven nearly 18 miles (29 kilometres) and ascended 2,050 feet (625 metres) as it explores Gale Crater and the foothills of Mount Sharp within it.
The rover has analysed 41 rock and soil samples, relying on a suite of science instruments to learn what they reveal about Earth's rocky sibling.
Such has been its success, what was originally intended to be a two-year mission was later extended indefinitely, leading to a rather busy decade.
Curiosity has studied the Red Planet's skies – capturing images of shining clouds and drifting moons – while the rover's radiation sensor has allowed scientists to measure the amount future astronauts would be exposed to on the Martian surface, helping NASA figure out how to keep them safe.
www.dailymail.co.uk
Comment:
These unmanned space probes have worked very well.
I see no need to risk people's lives for a manned mars mission.
We should be sending more probes to the moon also.
NASA is planning to land the first woman on the moon in three years.
They don't need to send people to the moon, just use probes, it's safer.
The one-tonne vehicle launched from Earth in November 2011 and – after an arduous nine-month journey which included the 'seven minutes of terror' down to the Martian surface – it set out to look for evidence that the Red Planet may once have supported life.
Since then, Curiosity has driven nearly 18 miles (29 kilometres) and ascended 2,050 feet (625 metres) as it explores Gale Crater and the foothills of Mount Sharp within it.
The rover has analysed 41 rock and soil samples, relying on a suite of science instruments to learn what they reveal about Earth's rocky sibling.
Such has been its success, what was originally intended to be a two-year mission was later extended indefinitely, leading to a rather busy decade.
Curiosity has studied the Red Planet's skies – capturing images of shining clouds and drifting moons – while the rover's radiation sensor has allowed scientists to measure the amount future astronauts would be exposed to on the Martian surface, helping NASA figure out how to keep them safe.
Curiosity rover's biggest achievements after 10 years on Mars
Curiosity has driven nearly 18 miles (29 kilometres) and ascended 2,050 feet (625 metres) while exploring Gale Crater and the foothills of Mount Sharp within it during its 10 years on Mars.
Comment:
These unmanned space probes have worked very well.
I see no need to risk people's lives for a manned mars mission.
We should be sending more probes to the moon also.
NASA is planning to land the first woman on the moon in three years.
They don't need to send people to the moon, just use probes, it's safer.
