Red Rover, Red Rover Send MARS2020 Over

Sky Gazing

Friday, July 31, 2020

 

Thank the heavens for NASA!!!  During this time of isolation and “stay-at-home” habits, a little sky gazing presents us with a new perspective.  This is an amazing universe we inhabit, and NASA continues to present us with the wonder and awe of space exploration.

On July 30, 2020, the Mars Rover Perseverance launched on a 10-year mission to continue exploring the red planet, Mars.  Its specific mission:  to collect rock samples to be returned to Earth and studied for signs of once living organisms (they are looking for biosignatures—those patterns and textures that could have only been formed by a living thing.)  Perseverance will also record the sounds of Mars.  And, for the first time, a tiny helicopter will be used to film the Mars surface.  Named Ingenuity, this 4-pound, 4’ diameter, whirling aircraft will not only be capable of autonomous flight but will also be remotely operated from Earth.

In 2026, another mission will launch to collect all the accumulated information for study here on Earth.  Science fiction becomes reality!!!!

We were on the Space Coast to take these photos of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket taking off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 41.  It will take six months to reach Mars.

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The Atlas V rocket carrying the Perseverance Rover took off at 7:50 am EDT on Thursday, July 30, 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 41.
There she goes!
There she goes!
Such a beautiful sight!
Such a beautiful sight!
Perseverance will circle Earth before heading out to Mars.
Perseverance will circle Earth before heading out to Mars.
All too soon, she disappears into the heavens.
All too soon, she disappears into the heavens.
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We must head back home now. But we’ll follow the progress and adventures of Perseverance on her 10-year journey!!!

 

To recap:

Nasa’s Mars Perseverance Rover will…..

…..collect & store rock and soil samples in sealed tubes on the planet’s surface for future missions to retrieve.

…..seek signs of past alien life.

…..use a tiny helicopter to explore and record visual data.

…..attempt to record sound.  Prior missions have tried; none have yet to succeed.

Good luck, Perseverance!!!