Extremophiles are a favorite tool of astrobiologists. But not only are they good for understanding the kinds of extreme environments that life can survive in, sometimes they are useful as actual tools, creating materials necessary for other life – like oxygen – in those extreme environments. A recent paper from Daniella Billi of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, published …
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Farley, K. A. et al. Mars 2020 mission overview. Space Sci. Rev. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-020-00762-y (2020). Farley, K. A. et al. Aqueously altered igneous rocks sampled on the floor of Jezero Crater, Mars. Science 377, eabo2196 (2022). Article ADS CAS PubMed Google Scholar Simon, J. I. et al. Samples collected from the floor of Jezero Crater with the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. …
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NASA has some exciting new results from the Perseverance rover, and they will be presented during a press conference on Wednesday, September 10. The call for a press conference is exciting as it suggests that there is something really juicy to be showcased with a new paper published at the same time. The rest of this article is behind a …
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NASA‘s Perseverance rover has snapped an intriguing photo of a “turtle” appearing to poke its head out of its shell on the surface of Mars. The reptile-like structure is the latest in a long list of Martian rocks that look similar to living creatures or other Earth objects. Perseverance captured the new image on Aug. 31, on what was its …
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“Artificial astronauts” could fly as actual crew members on human missions to Mars, and elsewhere in space. These rugged, space-rated artificial humans offer great advantages, advocates say. For example, they would not require the large amounts of consumables needed to support humans. They could also perform spacewalks without a life-support system. While not everyone will agree on the predicted rate …
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On Wednesday (Sept. 10), NASA officials will share details about a new finding connected to a unique sample the Perseverance rover found on Mars. The teleconference will stream on the agency’s website at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) and is expected to include some “visuals” during the discussion. You’ll also be able to tune in right here on Space.com, as …
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Participants in the teleconference include: Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington Lindsay Hays, Senior Scientist for Mars Exploration, Planetary Science Division, NASA Headquarters Katie Stack Morgan, Perseverance Project Scientist, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California Joel Hurowitz, planetary scientist, Stony Brook University, New York Since landing in the Red …
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Finding life beyond the Earth would be a major scientific discovery with significant implications for all areas of science and human thought. Yet, only one direct search for extraterrestrial life has ever been conducted. The Viking missions landed on the Martian surface using parachutes. This diagram shows each stage the spacecraft went through as they landed. NASA The NASA Viking …
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Scientists are finding ways to turn Martian dirt into usable metals. This breakthrough could make it possible to build settlements on Mars without bringing everything from Earth. Credit: Shutterstock Swinburne and CSIRO researchers have successfully produced iron in Mars-like conditions, opening the door to metal production beyond Earth. The vision of establishing settlements on Mars has captured the imagination of …
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Four research volunteers will soon participate in NASA’s year-long simulation of a Mars mission inside a habitat at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This mission will provide NASA with foundational data to inform human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Ross Elder, Ellen Ellis, Matthew Montgomery, and James Spicer enter into the 1,700-square-foot Mars Dune Alpha habitat …
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