Mars Welcomes Five New Missions: A Historic Scientific Moment
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Mars's New Friends
In a remarkable scientific development, Mars is set to gain five new companions this month, a moment that will be etched in the annals of space exploration.
Space is often perceived as an isolated expanse; however, thanks to a fortuitous launch window in July 2020, February 2021 will witness the arrival of five new missions to the Red Planet. While the NASA Perseverance rover may be well-known, it has an unexpected companion on board.
Joining the Perseverance rover on the Martian surface will be China's Tianwen-1 Rover, and in orbit, the Tianwen-1 Orbiter will be accompanied by the UAE's Hope Orbiter.
Section 1.1: Meet Perseverance and Ingenuity
I have previously discussed Ingenuity, the Mars Helicopter that is traveling to Mars within the Perseverance rover (nicknamed Percy). This mission is a brief technological experiment aimed at determining the feasibility of powered flight in the Martian atmosphere. For more details on its flight capabilities and planned tests, please refer to my earlier article.
On the other hand, Perseverance functions similarly to its predecessors, Opportunity and Curiosity, the latter of which is still operational today. Rovers like Percy, roughly the size of a small vehicle, are equipped with a variety of scientific instruments and survival mechanisms to sustain their functionality for as long as possible.
Percy’s objectives on Mars, beyond overseeing Ingenuity’s short flights, include searching for signs of ancient life by identifying past habitats and microbial evidence. It will also collect and store rock and soil samples and investigate how oxygen is produced on Mars, where we know that oxygen constitutes about 0.17% of the atmosphere.
To accomplish these goals, Percy is outfitted with seven essential scientific tools and a nuclear power supply designed to last for 14 years! Notably, Percy is larger and more robust than earlier models, featuring enhanced wheels to withstand the wear and tear that Curiosity’s wheels experienced.
Percy and Ingenuity are expected to touch down on Mars on February 18, 2021.
Section 1.2: Overview of Tianwen-1 Orbiter and Rover
The Tianwen-1 Orbiter and Rover already arrived in Martian orbit on February 10, 2021. The orbiter’s initial months will be dedicated to transmitting visual data back to Earth, which will assist in pinpointing a suitable landing site for its rover counterpart.
Working in concert, the orbiter and rover aim to evaluate the potential for past, present, and future life on Mars. The orbiter will map the Martian geology and scrutinize its atmosphere, measuring ionospheric properties and electromagnetic and gravitational fields. Meanwhile, the rover will analyze soil samples and deploy ground-penetrating radar to explore up to 100 meters below the surface, where liquid water and possibly microbial life could exist, shielded from Mars’s harsh conditions.
We have already begun receiving data from the Tianwen-1 Orbiter, with the rover slated to land in a region of Mars known as Utopia Planitia sometime in May.
Chapter 2: The Hope Orbiter's Mission
The Hope Orbiter reached Martian orbit on February 9, 2021, marking the UAE's inaugural mission to Mars, making them the second country after India to achieve this feat on their first attempt.
Hope is the first dedicated weather satellite for Mars, primarily tasked with delivering a comprehensive analysis of the Martian atmosphere, including seasonal variations and weather events, such as the planet's frequent dust storms. This probe is equipped with a high-resolution camera and an infrared sensor, allowing for detailed weather studies. It follows a 55-hour orbit, providing ample opportunity to gather extensive data on specific atmospheric incidents, in contrast to its counterparts, MAVEN and Trace Gas Orbiter, which have shorter orbital periods of 4.5 and 2 hours, respectively.
Additionally, Hope has a secondary goal, featuring an Ultraviolet Spectrometer designed to analyze the Martian atmosphere, particularly focusing on why gases, especially hydrogen, are escaping into space. This research could provide insights into the degradation of Mars’s atmosphere and enhance climate models on Earth.
A Scientific Milestone Worth Celebrating
The launch window to Mars in July 2020 occurs every 26 months, representing the most efficient route to our neighboring planet. Despite the challenges posed by a global pandemic, the teams responsible for these missions have exceeded expectations, demonstrating remarkable dedication in a field that often faces funding constraints and stringent deadlines.
Hope embodies a message of optimism aimed at inspiring millions of young Arabs, while Percy carries a tribute to healthcare workers through a symbolic plate featuring the staff and serpent emblem.
In the realm of space exploration, never before have we witnessed such rapid scientific advancement in such a short timeframe. Beginning in March 2021, our understanding of Mars will accelerate more than ever before.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this extraordinary achievement possible.
In this video, titled "Making Space Friends | Mars Horizon - Part 4 - Full Release (Space Agency Sim)," viewers can explore the exciting developments surrounding Mars's new missions and the implications for future space exploration.
The video "Curious Beginnings | Critical Role: THE MIGHTY NEIN | Episode 1" delves into the narrative of space exploration and collaboration, highlighting the stories behind the missions now headed to Mars.