Phoenix detects possible ice
Posted: Mon, Jun 2, 2008, 10:18 PM ET (0218 GMT)
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft has uncovered what may be ice both in a region directly underneath the lander as well as in the first scoop of martian soil grabbed by the lander's arm. The patch of white material, thought to be ice, was spotted underneath the lander by a camera on the arm as it performed an inspection of the spacecraft. Scientists suspect the material was uncovered by the lander's thrusters as it touched down, blowing away the top several centimeters of regolith. On Monday the spacecraft's robotic arm grabbed its first scoop of regolith; embedded in the material were white specks that may be ice or salt crystals. The material was later dumped back on the surface, but later scoops of material will be transported to instruments on the lander for analysis.
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft has uncovered what may be ice both in a region directly underneath the lander as well as in the first scoop of martian soil grabbed by the lander's arm. The patch of white material, thought to be ice, was spotted underneath the lander by a camera on the arm as it performed an inspection of the spacecraft. Scientists suspect the material was uncovered by the lander's thrusters as it touched down, blowing away the top several centimeters of regolith. On Monday the spacecraft's robotic arm grabbed its first scoop of regolith; embedded in the material were white specks that may be ice or salt crystals. The material was later dumped back on the surface, but later scoops of material will be transported to instruments on the lander for analysis.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, June 9
Irish company secures €1 million contract with European Space Agency
Irish Times — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) USSF Seeking Small, Medium-Launch Providers At Vandenberg
Aviation Week — 5:49 am ET (0949 GMT) Virgin Galactic’s Shares Take Wild Ride
Orange County (CA) Business Journal — 5:47 am ET (0947 GMT) How Elon Musk’s Friendship With the F.C.C. Smooths the Way for SpaceX’s I.P.O.
New York Times — 5:46 am ET (0946 GMT) SpaceX IPO Is Well Oversubscribed With $10 Billion Orders
Bloomberg News — 5:45 am ET (0945 GMT) |
