The mission’s first two regolith samples — broken rock and dust — could help scientists better understand the Red Planet and help engineers prepare for future missions there.
NASA’s Perseverance rover took two new samples from the Martian surface on December 2 and 6. But unlike the 15 rock cores collected to date, these newer samples come from a windblown pile of sand and dust, but smaller than a dune.
Not one to brag, but this is pretty momentous. By dropping this one tube to the ground, I’ve officially started setting aside samples that Mars Sample Return could bring back to Earth someday.
Learn more: https://t.co/abNfyxE8Cy pic.twitter.com/SkjzFIn6Kd
— NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) December 21, 2022
Now contained in special metal collection tubes, one of these two samples will be considered for deposit on the Martian surface sometime this month as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign.
Scientists want to study Martian samples with powerful laboratory equipment on Earth to search for signs of ancient microbial life and better understand the processes that have shaped the surface of Mars.
Any Mars bot would be proud to have @NASAInSight’s record of discovery. A true inspiration.✨ https://t.co/Sc45CmC9vu
— NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) December 21, 2022
Most of the samples will be rock; however, the researchers also want to examine regolith (broken rock and dust) not only for what it can teach us about geological processes and the environment on Mars, but also to mitigate some of the challenges astronauts will face on Mars. the Red Planet.
Regolith can affect everything from space suits to solar panels, making it very interesting for engineers and scientists alike.
The Dust Challenge
Studying the regolith up close could help engineers design future Mars missions, as well as the equipment used by future Martian astronauts. Dust and regolith can damage spacecraft and scientific instruments alike.
The regolith can clog sensitive parts and slow down rovers on the surface. The grains could also pose unique challenges for astronauts: Lunar regolith was found to be sharp enough to tear microscopic holes in spacesuits during Apollo missions to the Moon.
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Source: NASA