Robert Besser
02 Aug 2022, 14:32 GMT+10
WASHINGTON D.C.: As part of its efforts to return Martian rocks and soil samples to Earth, NASA is sending two additional mini-helicopters for use on Mars.
Arizona State University's Meenakshi Wadhwa, chief scientist for the retrieval mission, said the Perseverance rover has already gathered 11 rock and soil samples, with more rock drilling planned. The most recent sample, a sedimentary rock, holds the greatest promise of containing possible evidence of ancient Martian life.
"There's a diversity of materials already in the bag, so to speak, and really excited about the potential for bringing these back," she said, as quoted by the Associated Press.
If Perseverance breaks down, the two helicopters being built and launched later this decade would load the samples onto the return rocket, instead.
The helicopters, weighing just just 4 pounds, will be modeled after NASA's successful Ingenuity helicopter, which has made 29 flights since arriving with Perseverance on Mars in early 2022.
Perseverance's impressive performance on Mars prompted space officials to cancel plans to launch a separate rover, according to NASA officials.
"We have confidence that we can count on Perseverance to bring the samples back, and we have added the helicopters as a backup means," noted Jeff Gramling, director of NASA's Mars sample return program, according to the Associated Press.
NASA is collaborating with the European Space Agency on the retrieval mission.
Get a daily dose of New York Telegraph news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to New York Telegraph.
More InformationTALLAHASSEE, Florida: The Florida Lottery said this week that the second-largest lottery winner in U.S. history has come forward to ...
LONDON, UK: This week, the Global Financial Centers index showed that New York remains the world's leading financial center, with ...
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: In a significant milestone for its defense capabilities, Taiwan has unveiled its first domestically developed submarine. Although it ...
HONIARA, Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed that he opted out of a Pacific Islands leaders' summit at the ...
SACRAMENTO, California: Intending to raise some US$160 million per year to help prevent gun violence, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed ...
MANILA, The Philippines: The Philippines remains steadfast in its resolve not to yield to Chinese efforts to obstruct its fishermen ...
LONDON, UK: This week, the Global Financial Centers index showed that New York remains the world's leading financial center, with ...
NICOSIA, Cyprus - The president of the European Parliament said Sunday she has conveyed the legislative body's support for the ...
Washington - The U.S. government stayed open Sunday, with funding assured through mid-November, but the political infighting among Republican lawmakers ...
(Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports) The New York Yankees and host Kansas City Royals will close a disappointing seasons ...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) The visiting Miami Marlins could be at less than their best Sunday for their ...
(Photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) A doubleheader sweep Saturday continued to give the New York Mets some things to ...