Search Results for: The Martian

Living in Space, Mars, The Moon

China heads for the Moon’s far side, NASA listens to Martian winds, and a Dragon arrives at the ISS

Lots of activity in space this weekend: ** Moon: China launched on Friday the Chang’e-4 mission to the far side of the Moon. The 3,780 kg package includes a lander (1,200 kg), a rover (140 kg). This will be the first mission of any kind to the surface of the side of the Moon that never … Continue reading China heads for the Moon’s far side, NASA listens to Martian winds, and a Dragon arrives at the ISS →

Multiple media, Space Policy, SpaceCasts

Audio: Recent space podcasts – SpaceX, Freeman Dyson, wormholes, Martian dust storms, and more

Here is a selection of recent space related audio webcasts starting with Bob Zimmerman on the John Batchelor radio show. Be sure to support Bob with his annual fund-raising campaign now underway. Check out Bob’s periodic updates on what is happening with the Mars rovers and with the Sun, e.g. Mars rover update: May 23, 2018 | … Continue reading Audio: Recent space podcasts – SpaceX, Freeman Dyson, wormholes, Martian dust storms, and more →

Mars, Space Systems

Huge Martian dust storm cuts power to the Opportunity rover

As happens occasionally, a giant dust storm has arisen on Mars and the resulting cloudy sky has cut power to the Opportunity rover. Unlike the nuclear powered Curiosity, “Oppy” uses solar panels to supply its energy needs. The rover has been operating since landing on the Red Planet on Jan. 25, 2004 and survived a big … Continue reading Huge Martian dust storm cuts power to the Opportunity rover →

Mars, Space Science

Video: Curiosity rover detects organic molecules in Martian rock & methane in the atmosphere

Here is a NASA video overview plus an article about Thursday’s announcement that the Curiosity rover detected organic molecules in Martian rock: Since arriving at Mars in 2012, NASA’s Curiosity rover has drilled into rocks in search of organics – molecules containing carbon. Organics are the building blocks of all life on Earth, though they … Continue reading Video: Curiosity rover detects organic molecules in Martian rock & methane in the atmosphere →

Activism, Simulators, Space participation

Video: Mars Society’s MarsVR virtual reality platform to assist human exploration of Martian landing sites

The Mars Society is holding the MarsVR  Kickstarter campaign to fund development of “a virtual reality platform for serious research to support the human exploration of Mars” –  The MarsVR program will be a unique multi-phase effort designed to pioneer the emerging field of CrowdExploration, which we define as the partnership between the first astronauts on Mars … Continue reading Video: Mars Society’s MarsVR virtual reality platform to assist human exploration of Martian landing sites →