Mastering Mars is just around the corner: NASA sends a third rover to the red planet

The red planet has always been a favorite object of study by astronomers. Scientists were attracted by the idea of the probable existence of life on Mars, as well as the possibility of creating a space base for earthlings there. Well, in order to bring these dreams to life and to study the mysterious planet as thoroughly as possible, another space mission was sent to it.

In early May, NASA sent a space station called InSight Mars to Mars. In order to monitor the flight of the station, its entry into the planet’s atmosphere and the process of landing, two identical aircraft were sent along with it - cubsats. The twins are called MarCO-A and MarCO-B and are the first such satellite devices. The mission of the station is to study the internal structure of the red planet and its seismicity. The InSight Mars station should land on Mars at the end of November and make the company two other stations that operate on the planet.

Recall that today on Mars there are two stations that help scientists uncover the secrets of our neighbor in the solar system. These are the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers.

Opportunity was launched on Mars in July 2003 and successfully landed on the Meridian Plateau in January 2004. The main mission of the rover is the search for water or its traces on the surface of the planet, as well as various astronomical observations, including the study of the atmosphere of Mars.

Mars rover "Opportunity"

The second of two operating rovers called the Curiosity landed on the surface of the planet in August 2012 and was also sent by NASA. The mission of this mission includes a detailed study of the atmosphere and the processes occurring in it, as well as a study of the geology of Mars.

Mars rover "Curiosity"

The current rovers and InSight Mars aimed at helping them must collect the necessary scientific data, based on which astrophysicists can plan a person’s flight to the red planet.