NASA's Mars 2020 rover has taken its first test drive, representing a significant milestone in preparing to launch to the Red Planet next summer.
A new video from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) shows the rover rolling forward and backward, and turning around in a circle for the very first time on Dec. 17. The short-distance drive test took place in a clean room at JPL, where the rover was built. NASA engineers tested the rover's driving capabilities for more than ten hours, according to a statement from the space agency.
While you're here, how about this:
Here's how thinking about building on Mars can help us build better right here on Earth
Thinking about how to build things on Mars comes with a surprising advantage, according to AI SpaceFactory . The company recently won first place at NASA's 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge with their 3D printed Martian habitat, MARSHA. A few months after the competition, TERA, AI SpaceFactory's first attempt to 3D print a home designed for Earth, is now under construction.
The company believes its space construction technology could help us build sustainable and recyclable houses here on Earth, too.
Former Mars Tech Exec Is P&G's New CIO
This month, $92 billion consumer packaged goods (CPG) company Procter & Gamble named Vittorio Cretella as chief information officer. He will replace Javier Polit on January 7.
Cretella has run his own consulting firm, VCAdvisory, since retiring from Mars Incorporated in 2017 after 25 years with the company, the last four as CIO. He has consulted to a number of CPG companies as well as logistics companies.
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Jon Moeller, P&G's Chief Operating officer, Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman, to whom Cretella will report, noted "Vittorio is a thought-leading CIO with a wealth of digitally influenced business experience. He is fluent in today's IT technology and capabilities – and deeply understands the relationship between IT and business."
Media put JPL in spotlight as Mars 2020 mission is readied - Los Angeles Times
The Mars 2020 mission rover under construction behind the "clean room" doors of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge is set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in July.
Domestic and foreign reporters alike swabbed their recording instruments with isopropyl alcohol in preparation to see the to see the vehicle, which measures 7 feet high, 9 feet wide and 10 feet long, and to interview its creators before its transfer to Florida in late January.
And here's another article:
NASA Researchers, Experts Continue to Look at Clues How Mars Lost Water |
NASA Photo Shows Alien Insect Nest On Mars, UFO Expert Claims
The photo that caught Waring's attention was taken by the rover on Sol 106 of its mission. According to the details of the image, it was captured near the Gusev crater on Mars. Like the other images taken by NASA's rovers on Mars, the photo features different sized rocks scattered across Mars' desert-like surface.
Based on the photo, the structure appears to be very small and has an odd shape. It can be seen perched on top of one of the rocks shown in the photo. Due to the object's strange appearance, Waring claimed that it's most likely a nest built by small alien organisms on Mars.
Want a closer look at Mars? Jump into hyperspace on Google Maps | Android Central
The Force is strong with Google Maps, as a Redditor recently discovered . The Palo Alto giant's navigation service has a new Star Wars-themed addition aimed at making exploring our solar system a little bit cooler. When switching between planets, you now see a new animation similar to the one you might have encountered when the Millenium Falcon jumps into hyperspace.
The company has, in partnership with NASA and the European Space Agency, offered the ability to explore more than just our planet since 2017 . As the announcement from back then explains, you can check out the feature for yourself by continuing to zoom out as far as possible on the Maps website on a PC, and enabling satellite view. You'll then get a list of locations you can explore, and that's where you can find the new animation, by switching between the different planets and moons.
Stargazing: Water bears may hold the secret to human survival on Mars
Earlier this year, an Israeli lunar lander carried thousands of tardigrades on board as a test to see if they are capable of surviving the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. The craft crashed, but these little guys are so tough, scientists believe that many likely survived that crash.
Water bears may hold the answer. Or at least their genes. Scientists studying tardigrades have discovered many of their genetic secrets of survival, and now some have suggested that incorporating tardigrade genes into humans may make it possible for us to survive more easily on Mars or even alien planets.
Happening on Twitter
You saw what we accomplished in 2019. 2020 promises to be even bigger: 👩🚀 🚀 @Commercial_Crew astronauts take flig… https://t.co/EdAUD3LXnM NASA Tue Dec 31 18:01:09 +0000 2019
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