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Click Click on the sky!
Martina Gleason
Mars exploration becomes a significant marker of the
space science when we welcome the new millennium.
Since 1996, NASA's decade-long "Mars Exploration
Program" plan to send a series of orbitors and landers to Mars.
These missions are defined as low cost and short
development time (less than 3 years).
The current missions including:
Mars Pathfinder - Launched
on 2 Dec. 1996, and arrived at Mars on 4 July 1997.
Mars Global Surveyor -
Launched on 7 Nov. 1996, and arrived at Mars on 11 Sep.1997.
The future missions announced:
Mars Surveyor 98 -
The MSP 98 Orbiter will be launched in Dec. 1998 , and
will arrive at Mars in Sep. 1999.
The MSP 98 Lander will be launched in Jan. 1999, and will
arrive at Mars in Dec. 1999.
Mars Surveyor 2001
The MSP 2001 Orbiter and Lander will be launched in March
and April 2001, respectively.
Mars Microprobe (Deep Space-2) - A part
of the "New Millennium Program"
(NMP) - Two Microprobes will be launched in Jan. 1999 and
will arrive at Mars in Dec. 1999.
And more missions in 2003, 2005 are on planning.
Why Mars???
Mars - The "God of War" (Greek: Ares) or the "Red Planet" becomes the most favourable planet (other than Earth) of human beings.
Why ? These are the reasons that we have been told :
First of all, it is nearby Earth. Today's
space travel facilities limit our trip exceeding the Solar system. There are not very many
choices really.
Less than 0ne year cruising period, and only about 10 - 20
minutes radio signals can be transmited from Mars back to Earth. These are the
conveniences.
Similarity and differences: In our Solar
system, Mars is the most similar planet to Earth.
Both are rotating terrestrial planets with shallow
atmospheres affected by surface topography.
The atmospheres are heated by Solar radiation and heat
exchange with the surface.
Both have large seasonal and interannual climate changes.
What Mars differs from Earth:
Mars is smaller than Earth (about 1/3 mass), colder and
with a very thin atmosphere composed of 95.3% carbon dioxide, 2.7% nitrogen, 1.6% argon,
0.15% oxygen and 0.03% water.
The current Mars has no oceans, lakes, rivers or rain. It
has permanent ice caps at both poles. Its climate changes in orbit and seasons are larger.
Life on Mars? At the present time at least it is not as
crowded as on Earth. In the ancient time, million years ago, perhaps?
So scientists argue: Comparing the history and evolution of the two planets will yield clues into Earth's past and future.
The primary goals of these missions are investigating:
Life? - Evidence of life on Mars, past or present. To understand the potential for life elsewhere in the Universe.
Climate - The weather process and history. To understand the relationship to the climate change process of Earth.
Resources - Its environment and utilization. To understand the solid planet. Its evolution and its resources for futture exploration.
Frankly to say, I would not prefer to
leave our lovely Earth and live with the deserted "God of War".
However to see the fascinating sunrise views from another planet, to admire the fast
developing space technology and science . . .
The Mars Exploration missions certainly will always
bringing us great pleasure and satisfaction.
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