Mars soil finally reaches Phoenix oven
Posted: Thu, Jun 12, 2008, 7:11 AM ET (1111 GMT)
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft was finally able to shake enough soil from a sample collected last week to fill an experiment oven within the spacecraft, project scientists said Wednesday. The soil sample was delivered to a screen covering one of eight sample ovens on Phoenix on Friday; the screen is designed to allow only fine grains of soil through to the experiment. However, the clumpiness of the soil prevented any grains from passing through the screen. After several periods of vibrating the screen, scientists said that the oven finally filled with material on Wednesday. The ovens will heat the soil to look for water and other volatile components.
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft was finally able to shake enough soil from a sample collected last week to fill an experiment oven within the spacecraft, project scientists said Wednesday. The soil sample was delivered to a screen covering one of eight sample ovens on Phoenix on Friday; the screen is designed to allow only fine grains of soil through to the experiment. However, the clumpiness of the soil prevented any grains from passing through the screen. After several periods of vibrating the screen, scientists said that the oven finally filled with material on Wednesday. The ovens will heat the soil to look for water and other volatile components.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, September 16
The US says it has launched ‘space control weapons’. It plays into the hands of its enemies
The Conversation — 12:53 am ET (0453 GMT) The Pentagon must prepare for battles around the moon: Joint Chiefs chair
Defense One — 12:52 am ET (0452 GMT) US says for 1st time it now has weapons in space. What we know (so far)
USA Today — 12:52 am ET (0452 GMT) New US Space Weapon Adds to Arsenal to Counter Russia, China
Bloomberg News — 12:52 am ET (0452 GMT) NRO deputy director highlights joint integration at AFA
NRO — 12:52 am ET (0452 GMT) |
