New Atlas

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Ancient Martian rivers revealed in newest satellite images

Michael Irving February 21, 2019

The Red Planet is notoriously dry and dusty, but its scarred surface shows that that wasn’t always the case. A new set of photos from the ESA's Mars Express orbiter demonstrates some pretty clear evidence of an ancient river network that once wound across the Martian landscape.

ESA's Mars Express orbiter has captured some stunning images of dry riverbeds on Mars

Space

InSight begins posting daily weather reports from Mars

David Szondy February 19, 2019

If you've ever wondered what the weather is on Mars, wonder no more. Today, NASA published an online tool that will allow the public to get daily Martian weather reports based on data gathered by the space agency's unmanned InSight lander.

NASA InSight's first full selfie on Mars

Space

Simulated space journeys to help keep the peace on manned trips to Mars

David Szondy February 18, 2019

The first manned, round-trip to Mars could involve up to three years of travel time, so researchers from Northwestern University will be monitoring the crew of two simulated flights to the Red Planet to learn how to help astronauts work and live together in the equivalent to one small room.

The HERA module will be used to test both physiological and psychological effects

Space

InSight deploys deep-digging drill on Mars

David Szondy February 13, 2019

NASA's InSight lander continues to ramp up for the science phase of its mission, having now dropped its the second instrument pack on the Martian surface. Images confirm that the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package had been placed within a meter of the previously deployed seismometer.

NASA's InSight lander set its Heat and Physical Properties Package (HP3) on the Martian surface

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Opportunity Mars rover mission ends as NASA abandons rescue effort

David Szondy February 13, 2019

After nearly 15 years, NASA's Opportunity Mars rover mission has come to an end as the space agency announced today that is has discontinued the eight-month recovery effort to revive the silent unmanned explorer and officially declared the Mars Exploration Rover's mission completed.

The Opportunity rover operated for nearly 15 years and covered 28 miles (45 km)

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Liquid lake on Mars might be evidence the Red Planet is still volcanically active

Michael Irving February 12, 2019

Last year a huge lake of liquid water was apparently found beneath the ice at the Martian south pole. A new study has now examined how it might have gotten there, and concluded that Mars must have had volcanic activity much more recently than is normally believed, and may even still be active today.

A visualization of the south pole of Mars, where a huge lake of liquid water is ...

Space

MAVEN Mars orbiter goes low to support 2020 rover mission

David Szondy February 12, 2019

NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) orbiter is taking on a new job as it shifts into a lower orbit to act as a communications relay for the Mars 2020 mission slated to launch next year.

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Nosedives would make for better landings on weighty Mars missions

David Szondy February 12, 2019

A new study examining the options for Mars missions in the five- to 20-ton payload range found that, paradoxically, having heavy spacecraft make hypersonic nosedives into the Martian atmosphere can allow them to be slowed down more efficiently with better control.

Future Mars missions will be more massive and will need new landing techniques

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Mars One goes bankrupt, ending private colonization project

David Szondy February 11, 2019

On January 15, Mars One Ventures was ordered to go into liquidation in a Swiss court, putting paid to plans to set up a permanent outpost on Mars with volunteers willing to leave Earth on a one-way mission with no hope of return.

Mars One planned to colonize Mars with volunteers on a one-way mission

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ESA has officially named its Mars rover

Anthony Wood February 7, 2019

A panel of experts has chosen Rosalind Franklin as the name for the European Space Agency’s (ESA)’s upcoming Mars rover. The vehicle is currently expected to begin exploring the Red Planet in 2021.

The rover will travel up to 100 meters (328 ft) per Martian day using advanced navigational ...