by: Nicole Willett I recently attended the online NASA/JPL Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) meeting that was held on July 23, 2013. The meeting’s purpose was to discuss the Mars 2020 rover and many other Mars exploration issues. Many people wonder why NASA keeps sending rovers to Mars without stating that they will unequivocally
Read Moreby: Nicole Willett Becoming a space faring civilization is the goal of millions of Earthlings. If one pays attention to the universe around him, it is impossible to deny its ability to cause breathtaking humility. We long to explore, to expand, to go out and touch a piece of another planetary body. This longing is what
Read Moreby: Nicole Willett *****UPDATED 9/28/2013***** Several papers have been published regarding the findings of Curiosity’s first few month’s on the surface of Mars. The findings are of great importance with regard to water. The rover has confirmed an incredible two percent of the surface soil is composed of water. Scientists said if humans were to land
Read Moreby: Nicole Willett The definition of what life is has eluded scientists for many generations… This is partially due to the many extreme organisms that have been found that push the traditional boundaries outward in every direction. What is a virus? It can reproduce, but it is considered not to be life because it must
Read Moreby: Nicole Willett Last week NASA’s Curiosity rover made history by drilling into the first rock on another planet. The rock, named John Klein, had a hole drilled that was 0.63 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches deep. Surprisingly, the soil beneath the iron red surface was bright grey. The soil sample has been sent to the suite of instruments in
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