NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has identified distinct hexagonal mud cracks on Mars, suggesting potential wet-dry cycles on the planet. Curiosity, a robotic explorer launched in 2011, is part of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. It doesn’t rely on solar cells for energy but employs a thermoelectric power generator fueled by plutonium decay. The rover’s objectives include investigating Mars’ geology, climate, potential for life, and readiness for human exploration. On the other hand, NASA’s Perseverance rover, launched in 2020 and successfully landed in 2021, aims to seek signs of ancient life, collect rock samples, and prepare for future sample return missions.
Prelims pointer
- Mars Science Laboratory Mission: A NASA mission launched in 2011 to explore Mars using the Curiosity rover. It focused on understanding the planet’s past habitability and the potential for life.
- Thermoelectric Power Generator: Curiosity’s power source is a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). It converts heat from plutonium’s radioactive decay into electricity, allowing the rover to function even in environments with limited sunlight.
- Mars 2020 Mission: A NASA mission that includes the Perseverance rover, launched in 2020. The rover’s primary goals include studying Mars’ geology, searching for signs of past life, and preparing for future human missions.
- Jezero Crater: The landing site of the Perseverance rover, chosen for its potential to have once hosted a lake and preserved signs of ancient life. The rover will explore this crater and collect rock samples for future analysis.
- Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG): A power source that transforms heat generated by the radioactive decay of plutonium into electrical energy. This technology provides a reliable and long-lasting energy supply for missions in remote or challenging environments.
