Mars Sample Return (MSR)

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Scientists Find Intriguing Mars Rock – NASA

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NASA’s Perseverance Rover Scientists Find Intriguing Mars Rock – NASA

The six-wheeled geologist found a fascinating rock that has some indications it may have hosted microbial life billions of years ago, but further research is needed. A vein-filled rock is catching the eye of the science team of NASA’s Perseverance rover. Nicknamed “Cheyava Falls” by the team, the arrowhead-shaped rock contains fascinating traits that may … Read more

Clare Luckey: Shaping the Future of Mars Missions and Inspiring the Artemis Generation  – NASA

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Clare Luckey: Shaping the Future of Mars Missions and Inspiring the Artemis Generation  – NASA

As a member of the Mars Architecture Team, Clare Luckey is one of the people at the forefront of designing the first crewed mission to the Red Planet. Her current work involves helping to develop the vision for the initial segment of Mars exploration missions. She also has been named one of Forbes’ 30 under … Read more

NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Team Says Goodbye … for Now – NASA

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NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Team Says Goodbye … for Now – NASA

The final downlink shift by the Ingenuity team was a time to reflect on a highly successful mission — and to prepare the first aircraft on another world for its new role. Engineers working on NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter assembled for one last time in a control room at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in … Read more

NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs – NASA

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NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs – NASA

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson shared on Monday the agency’s path forward on the Mars Sample Return program, including seeking innovative designs to return valuable samples from Mars to Earth. Such samples will not only help us understand the formation and evolution of our solar system but can be used to prepare for future human explorers … Read more

NASA Invites Media to Mars Sample Return Update – NASA

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NASA Invites Media to Mars Sample Return Update – NASA

NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT, Monday, April 15, to discuss the agency’s response to a Mars Sample Return Independent Review Board report from September 2023, including next steps for the program. The teleconference will livestream at: https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv Mars Sample Return has been a major long-term goal of international planetary exploration … Read more

Rock Sampled by NASA’s Perseverance Embodies Why Rover Came to Mars – NASA

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Rock Sampled by NASA’s Perseverance Embodies Why Rover Came to Mars – NASA

The 24th sample taken by the six-wheeled scientist offers new clues about Jezero Crater and the lake it may have once held. Analysis by instruments aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover indicate that the latest rock core taken by the rover was awash in water for an extended period of time in the distant past, perhaps … Read more

NASA Uses Two Worlds to Test Future Mars Helicopter Designs – NASA

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NASA Uses Two Worlds to Test Future Mars Helicopter Designs – NASA

This video combines two perspectives of the 59th flight of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Video on the left was captured by the Mastcam-Z on NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover; the black-and-white video on the right was taken by Ingenuity’s downward-pointing Navcam. The flight occurred Sept 16. NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS Engineers will go beyond the ends of the Earth … Read more