Question

Current Mars Missions. Pick one of the Mars missions that is currently operating and visit its Web site. Write a short report about the mission's history, goals, and accomplishments to date.

Short answer

The Mars 2020 mission aims to study Mars' environment with the Perseverance rover, focusing on ancient life and sample collection for Earth's return.

Step-by-step solution

Choose a Current Mars Mission

For this exercise, we will choose the Mars 2020 mission, which is currently in operation with the Perseverance rover. We will gather information from the official NASA Mars 2020 website.

Research Mission History

The Mars 2020 mission was launched on July 30, 2020, by NASA. Its rover, Perseverance, landed successfully in the Jezero Crater on Mars on February 18, 2021. The mission was part of NASA's ongoing Mars Exploration Program.

Identify the Mission Goals

The primary goals of the Mars 2020 mission include searching for signs of ancient life, collecting rock and soil samples to return to Earth, and testing new technology for future robotic and human exploration. The mission also aims to study the planet's climate and geology.

Highlight Key Accomplishments

To date, Perseverance has successfully collected and sealed several samples of Martian rock and soil for future retrieval. It has also captured high-resolution images and conducted experiments, such as producing oxygen from the Martian atmosphere using the MOXIE instrument.

Write a Short Report

The Mars 2020 mission, initiated by NASA, is focused on exploring the possibility of ancient life on Mars and furthering our understanding of its climate and geology. The Perseverance rover, landing in February 2021, has achieved milestones like sample collection and technological experiments, marking significant strides in Martian exploration.

Key concepts

Perseverance rover

The Perseverance rover is a fascinating piece of technology that plays a crucial role in the Mars 2020 mission. As the most advanced rover ever sent to Mars, Perseverance is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments designed to explore the Red Planet's surface like never before. Some notable features of Perseverance include:

• A robotic arm with a drill to collect rock and soil samples.
• Advanced navigation systems to traverse the Martian terrain autonomously.
• A sophisticated landing system using a sky crane for a soft touch down on Mars.
• A high-definition camera system to capture stunning visuals of the Martian landscape.

Perseverance is tasked with several groundbreaking objectives. Its primary mission is to search for signs of past microbial life. The rover uses its scientific instruments to analyze the geology and climate of Mars while collecting samples that future missions will return to Earth. Additionally, it is testing new technologies that could assist in future human missions to Mars.

Martian exploration

Martian exploration has captivated human imagination for generations. While early missions focused on flybys and orbiters, the current phase involves sophisticated rovers like Perseverance actively exploring the Martian surface. This progression is part of a broader effort to understand the history and potential habitability of Mars. Explorers aim to uncover secrets such as:

• Evidence of water in Mars' past.
• Signs of ancient microbial life.
• Mars' geological and climatic history.
• Resources available for human use.

The data obtained from these missions helps scientists piece together Mars' history and prepare for the possibility of human colonization in the future. Every rover mission provides valuable insights that march us closer to understanding our neighboring planet.

NASA Mars Exploration Program

The NASA Mars Exploration Program is an ambitious initiative dedicated to exploring Mars to enhance scientific understanding and assess its potential for supporting life. Established in the 1990s, this program has launched numerous missions, shedding light on many of Mars' mysteries. Goals of the program include:

• Understanding Mars' climate and geology.
• Searching for signs of life, past and present.
• Identifying the challenges and opportunities for human exploration.

Each mission builds upon its predecessors, contributing to a cumulative body of knowledge. By employing an array of robotic explorers, the program has significantly advanced our knowledge of the Martian landscape, paving the way for future human exploration.

Jezero Crater

Jezero Crater, the landing site for the Perseverance rover, is an area of immense scientific interest. Located on Mars' surface, it spans about 45 kilometers in diameter. Scientists believe it once housed an ancient river delta, making it a prime location for searching for past life signs. Key characteristics of Jezero Crater include:

• Evidence of ancient water flow.
• Mineral-rich deposits potentially harboring biosignatures.
• A rich, varied geological terrain offering clues about Mars' history.

By exploring Jezero Crater, Perseverance helps to fulfill the mission's objectives of studying Mars' geology and climate. Scientists hope that analyzing rock and soil samples from this area will provide new insights into Mars’ past and potential habitability.