Are we going to Mars?
When you look at the stars at night, do you
ever wonder if we are truly the only ones looking?
In
an effort to discover the possibilities of any life on Mars, NASA is following
a scientific theme called “Seeking Signs of Life.” This is NASA’s attempt to
find evidence of Mars’ ability to support the past or present microbial life.
Since water is essential to life,
Mars missions such as: 2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars
Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Mars Phoenix Lander were conducted following the
theme, “Follow the Water.”
Mars’ Curiosity rover landed in a
place that shows evidence that suggest presence of water in the past. But the rover also seeks organics. It marks a
transition between “Follow the Water,” and “Seeking Signs of Life,” because it
seeks the chemicals necessary to allow potential for life to evolve and thrive.
Curiosity is equipped with the
largest, most advanced suite of scientific instruments ever sent to the Martian
surface. The Sample Analysis Suite (SAM) is composed of mass spectrometer, gas
chromatograph, and tunable laser spectrometer. Together they account for more
than half of the scientific instruments on board the Mars Science Laboratory.
What will truly set Curiosity apart
from its predecessors in addition to the extra scientific instruments will be a
software called OnSight. The software employed by Curiosity instruments is
being developed by NASA in conjunction with Microsoft that will enable
scientists here on Earth to work on Mars virtually. Scientists will wear
Microsoft HaloLens to experience Mars through the eyes of the Curiosity rover.
The OnSight software will use real data from the rover to form a 3-D simulation
where scientists can plan activities and preview their work in firsthand.
The OnSight system will overlay visual
information and rover data, by using holographic computing, to the user’s field
of view; essentially creating a hybrid real world through blending the view of
the physical world with computer-generated images. This technology permits
scientists to explore the Martian landscape in a more natural, or human, way.
CHM1045 Honors: Mario A. Alvarez, Aismeri Martinez, Valentina Dempaire
Engineering Group I
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