MARS WELCOMES TWO NEW PROBES
by Hazed
It’s been a busy week in Mars orbit, as two new spacecraft arrived and took up position around the planet.
First up was the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, sent by NASA to study the upper atmosphere – the first to do so. It is hoped its observations will help scientists understand how Mars lost most of its air, leaving such a low pressure atmosphere that water on the surface just boils away instantly.
MAVEN was followed by a satellite called Mangalyaan, sent by India – the fourth space power to take up residence in Mars orbit (after the US, Russia and Europe). The probe is one of the cheapest interplanetary missions ever, costing just $74 million – roughly one tenth the cost of NASA’s Maven mission.
Mangalyaan’s job will be to examine the Martian atmosphere, and it has already sent back its first picture which you can see at the source link below.
Source:
Mars Maven mission arrives in orbit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29253788
NASA’S MAVEN site
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/maven/main
Why India’s Mars mission is so cheap – and thrilling
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29341850
India’s Mars satellite ‘Mangalyaan’ sends first images
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-29357438
