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Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)
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Phoenix - Recent Discoveries
NASA announced on July 31, 2008 that the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) aboard the Phoenix lander had detected Martian water in a soil sample, a different result from the "evidence for water ice" previously disclosed. Scientists on the Phoenix team are now intent on discovering whether or not Martian water ice ever thaws sufficiently to contribute to the development of complex organic molecules essential for biology. One theory suggests that liquid water existed on Mars as recently as 100,000 years ago, and that there may be dormant microbial colonies and organic life signatures buried beneath the surface of the Martian arctic.
The long-term goals of the Phoenix mission are: (1) determine whether
life ever arose on Mars, (2) characterize the climate of Mars, (3)
characterize the geology of Mars, and (4) prepare for human
exploration. Based on the data obtained to date, the lander’s
operational status, and projections confirming continued availability
of solar power, NASA has extended operational funding that will
continue the prime mission to September 30, 2008.
Perchlorate
On August 5, after much speculation in several public forums, Phoenix Mars mission scientists announced that perchlorate salts had been detected in soil analyzed by the wet chemistry laboratory aboard NASA's Phoenix Lander. Research is ongoing, and the team is examining multiple hypotheses given this new discovery. According to Peter Smith, lead investigator, it is unclear at this time "whether finding perchlorate is good news or bad news for possible life on Mars."
Mission scientists describe Perchlorate as a naturally occurring substance on Earth, and one that is stable and does not destroy organic material under normal circumstances. In fact, there are microorganisms on Earth that are fueled by processes that involve perchlorates, and some plants concentrate the substance. Perchlorate can also be manufactured for use in rocket fuel and other manufacturing processes.
Although the Phoenix team will continue to review the data surrounding the discovery of Perchlorate, the Mars Science Laboratory, currently scheduled for launch in 2009, will be better equipped to determine the ultimate significance of this finding. As Mars Society Executive Director Chris Carberry recently commented, "Every time we look closer at Mars, we are surprised and have a thousand more questions." The road to Mars will continue to be marked by new and intriguing discoveries, each of which will ultimately lead us closer to an understanding of the planet's past as well as its potential for future human settlement.
There will be an update on the Phoenix mission from members of the Phoenix science team at the 11th Annual Convention in Boulder this August. Register now to meet members of the Phoenix team and to hear their up-to-date reports on the many exciting discoveries taking place on the surface of Mars.
Perchlorate
On August 5, after much speculation in several public forums, Phoenix Mars mission scientists announced that perchlorate salts had been detected in soil analyzed by the wet chemistry laboratory aboard NASA's Phoenix Lander. Research is ongoing, and the team is examining multiple hypotheses given this new discovery. According to Peter Smith, lead investigator, it is unclear at this time "whether finding perchlorate is good news or bad news for possible life on Mars."
Mission scientists describe Perchlorate as a naturally occurring substance on Earth, and one that is stable and does not destroy organic material under normal circumstances. In fact, there are microorganisms on Earth that are fueled by processes that involve perchlorates, and some plants concentrate the substance. Perchlorate can also be manufactured for use in rocket fuel and other manufacturing processes.
Although the Phoenix team will continue to review the data surrounding the discovery of Perchlorate, the Mars Science Laboratory, currently scheduled for launch in 2009, will be better equipped to determine the ultimate significance of this finding. As Mars Society Executive Director Chris Carberry recently commented, "Every time we look closer at Mars, we are surprised and have a thousand more questions." The road to Mars will continue to be marked by new and intriguing discoveries, each of which will ultimately lead us closer to an understanding of the planet's past as well as its potential for future human settlement.
There will be an update on the Phoenix mission from members of the Phoenix science team at the 11th Annual Convention in Boulder this August. Register now to meet members of the Phoenix team and to hear their up-to-date reports on the many exciting discoveries taking place on the surface of Mars.
