Mars, maybe the future Earth. We know many things about its surface, its geology and chemistry. But there are still a lots of unknowns linked to it. If we need to know a lot, we need data. And the data can only be derived from samples from Mars.
What it would be, if you could bring something from Mars to Earth? That's looking a fantasy question. But, European Space Agency announced Scientists to NASA's team to determine that what samples should be collected from Mars. All of the samples will be collected and stored by the Perseverance rover set to launch this Summer.
What is Perseverance?
Perseverance is a standalone mission which is developed to identify if there are any signs of habitable conditions on our neighbor planet, but it is also part of the international Mars Sample Return campaign that European Space Agency Member States agreed to finance last year during Space19+.
The Challenges
Travelling over around 53 million kilometers to Mars, landing safely, collecting samples and heading back to Earth is an unprecedented task that is never done or thought before.
This mission will take a whole decade, it will have three launches from Earth and one from Mars. This will be first ever launch from any other planet.
The Plan
When Perseverance will land on Mars, it will scout a defined area for a year. During this period it will collect several samples in cigar-sized box and leave it there for picking it up later. Well, I don't understand that why they are leaving those samples and not storing them instantly. I think they will not weigh too much. What are your opinions, please do comment below and let me know guys.
After a defined period, ESA rover will bring back the collected samples to lander where they will be carefully stored in MAV or Mars Ascent Vehicle which will launch the sample container from the Martian surface, and place it on a orbit around planet Mars. Another important ESA contribution will be the biggest and most robust spacecraft flying to Mars – the Earth Return Orbiter that will rendezvous with the sample and bring it to Earth.
The End Notes
Mars Samples and their study will enhance our knowledge about Solar System and specifically Planet Mars. It will really help us in using specified instruments which will derive the most positives from the future Mars Missions. Well, we have to wait for it.
This is all for today. Will meet you soon. Cheers!
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