Issue 15: New plan for Sample Return, Ingenuity on break & much more
Missions
New plans for Mars Sample Return (MSR): Newly appointed group of researchers proposed a conceptual architectural plan for NASA/ESA's sample return mission. And the team has decided to add two Ingenuity-like helicopters and replace “fetch rover” , instead Mars 2020 rover will bring the samples to the lander! But the plan will get finalized in September, 2022.
Perseverance finding potential landing sites for MSR: Percy & MSR team are currently finding such a flat, steep-angled land that lacks large rocks & sand dunes which the team calls the “landing strip”
Percy collecting samples from Jezero Delta: Recently, Percy collected second sample from Delta and the team is looking at whether it belongs to Delta or have originated from external debris of Entry, Descent & Landing (EDL).
Ingenuity on break: After its Flight 29 on June 11, 2022, copter's all flights got postponed until August due to cold and dusty climatic conditions.
Research & Observations
Deeper look at Mars' Grand Canyon: Mars Express Orbiter's Valles Marineris view highlights more than 800 kms long trenches - lus chasma & Tithonium Chasma. At the top, there are patches of dark sand which may belongs to nearby Tharsis volcanic region. Then, there are two 3000 metres, light-tonned mounds with small water-bearing, sulphate bumps in between. Piles of debris with parallel lines at lower right of mound signifys a recent landslide.
Imagery
MRO has captured complex dune field inside Gamboa crater impact basin, revealing past weather patterns & direction of winds!
Recommendation
NASA's Curiosity completes a decade on the red planet on August 5! So, to highlight science from the mission, I would recommend you to watch this talk on the Curiosity rover!
Want Space to be easily accessible to everyone? So, Assist me to continue publishing all of my writes free for everyone…!