Launched NASA new Mars probe to investigate traces of life 4:31, July 31
NASA launched a rocket equipped with a new type of probe for exploring the surface of Mars on the 30th. After arriving at Mars in February next year, the spacecraft will carry out surveys with the onboard vehicle, searching for traces of life on Mars for approximately two years.
On the 30th, NASA launched the "Atlas V" rocket equipped with the Mars 2020 probe for exploring Mars from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.
The spacecraft was disconnected from the rocket approximately 57 minutes after launch, and successfully communicated approximately 80 minutes later to begin flight to Mars.
The spacecraft will arrive at Mars in mid-February next year, taking about seven months, and land a probe vehicle named "Persevia Lance," which means patience, on the surface of the earth.
The exploration vehicle searches for traces of microorganisms at what was once thought to be a lake, and also investigates the geology and weather of Mars.
We will also conduct research aimed at future human exploration, such as conducting experiments to generate oxygen from the Martian atmosphere.
Exploration will take place for nearly two years, and expectations are rising for evidence of the existence of life outside Earth.
What is the probe on Mars?
The spacecraft will fly about 497 million kilometers in outer space and reach Mars around February next year, about seven months after the launch.
After plunging into the atmosphere of Mars, decelerate using a parachute, inject the engine when the surface approaches and slowly descend, and suspend the exploration vehicle ``Persevia Lance'' when approaching about 20 meters, Land on.
"Parseviance" is a vehicle that is about the same size as a small car, and includes 19 cameras, 7 devices with different purposes such as temperature and humidity observation and material composition analysis, It also has a robot arm. You can also drill holes for geological samples.
The main purpose of this exploration is to find traces of life on Mars. "Persevia Lance" decided to land on what was once thought to be a lake where liquid water flowed, and analyze the material left there to look for traces of the existence of life. I am.
Another purpose is to store the collected samples in capsules, keeping in mind that they will be brought back to Earth by another probe in the future.
In addition, in preparation for humankind's landing on Mars for exploration in the future, an experiment of technology for producing oxygen by utilizing the atmosphere, which contains carbon dioxide as the main component, is also planned.
In addition, "Persevia Lance" is also equipped with a small helicopter weighing 2 kg to demonstrate flight technology or whether it can fly even in the thin atmosphere of Mars, and if successful, it will fly for the first time on other celestial bodies It will be a helicopter.
In the orbits around Mars and Mars, there are currently seven active spacecraft such as the United States, India, and ESA = European Space Agency, and "Persevia Lance" will conduct exploration for approximately 680 days after landing. It's a schedule.