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Exploration & Science Missions

Mars Soil Analyzed

August 6, 2008 / Exploration & Science Missions

Phoenix Mars mission scientists addressed their research in progress concerning an ongoing investigation of perchlorate salts detected in soil analyzed by the wet chemistry laboratory aboard NASA's Phoenix Lander. "Finding perchlorates is neither good nor bad for life, but it does make us reassess how we think about life on Mars," said Michael Hecht of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, lead scientist for the Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA), the instrument that includes the wet chemistry laboratory.

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Mars Panorama—Say ‘Cheese’ 400x

August 4, 2008 / Exploration & Science Missions

In the midst of your "regular" daily satellite news, here's an update pertaining to the Phoenix, which is now planted steadfastly on Mars. What interestingly enough appears, at first glance, to be just one photo that the Phoenix spacecraft took of the arctic plane of Mars is not as it appears.

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NASA’s LRO Test Submissions

August 1, 2008 / Exploration & Science Missions

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, also known as LRO, has completed the first round of environmental testing at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. These tests ensure the spacecraft is prepared for its mission to collect the highest resolution images and most comprehensive geological data set ever returned from the moon.

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NASA Rewards Moon Life Concepts

July 30, 2008 / Exploration & Science Missions

NASA's Constellation Program has now selected 11 companies and one university to independently develop concepts that contribute to how astronauts will live and work on the moon. Each organization will conduct a 180-day study focused on a topic relevant to lunar surface systems.

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