WORLD NEWS
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Discovers Evidence of Past Life on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars, uncovering evidence of past life on the Red Planet. The rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021, has been exploring Jezero Crater, a 45-kilometer-wide impact crater that was once home to a lake.
According to NASA, the rover detected organic molecules, which are the building blocks of life, in a sample of Martian rock. The discovery is significant because it suggests that life may have existed on Mars in the past, but is no longer present today.
The organic molecules were identified in a sample of rock that was collected by the rover in June. The sample was analyzed in a laboratory on Mars, using instruments that are capable of detecting the chemical makeup of the rock.
The discovery is being hailed as one of the most significant findings in the search for extraterrestrial life. It suggests that the conditions necessary for life to exist on Mars may have existed in the past, and could potentially exist again in the future.
European Space Agency’s BepiColombo Encounters Mercury
The European Space Agency’s BepiColombo spacecraft has entered into orbit around Mercury, making it the first spacecraft to do so. The spacecraft launched in 2018 and traveled more than 7.5 billion kilometers to reach its destination.
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, and it orbits the Sun more closely than any other planet. BepiColombo will spend the next several months studying Mercury, gathering data on its geology, magnetic field, and magnetosphere.
The spacecraft is equipped with a range of instruments, including a magnetometer, a particle analyzer, and a camera. It will use these instruments to study Mercury’s surface and atmosphere, and to learn more about its place in the solar system.
Chinese Space Station Module Launched
China has launched a new module for its space station, marking a major milestone in the construction of the country’s first orbiting space station. The module, which is called Wentian, is designed to provide additional living and research space for astronauts.
The Wentian module was launched on June 17 and is expected to dock with the already existing Tianhe module in July. The two modules will form a single, modular space station that will be capable of supporting astronauts for extended periods.
China’s space station is expected to be fully operational in 2022, and will serve as a major hub for space research and exploration. It will also provide a platform for astronauts to conduct scientific experiments, and to test new technologies and equipment.
India’s Chandrayaan-3 Mission to Moon Launched
India has launched a new mission to the Moon, marking the country’s second attempt to send a spacecraft to the lunar surface. The Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched on July 14, and is expected to reach the Moon in a few days.
The mission is designed to study the Moon’s south pole, which is of particular interest because of its potential for hosting water ice. The spacecraft is equipped with a range of instruments, including a probe that will be used to search for water and other resources on the lunar surface.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a major milestone for India’s space program, and is seen as a major step forward for the country’s space exploration efforts. It is also seen as a key player in the global space community, and is expected to provide valuable insights into the Moon’s geology and composition.