In the not too distant future, a planetary scientist will open a tube of rocks from March.
Thanks to the Perseverance rover, there are at least 17 of these rock and regolith samples just waiting to be analyzed on Earth. To get them, the rover traveled about 13 kilometers (8 miles) on its geological excursion to Mars.
The rover has been drilling and digging since shortly after landing, ejecting rocks and sand into special tubes for transport.
He dropped off his first load near a place called “Three Forks” this week. This tube contains pieces of igneous rock, it was found in January of this year.
It wasn’t just a “drop and run”. Mission engineers had to make sure the tube landed safely. So they did it slowly. First, Perseverance pulled the container out of its belly.
Then he examined everything with a camera before dropping the tube 90 centimeters on the surface.
Then another image showed mission engineers that the sample was safely on its side for easy pick-up.
Eventually, all of the containers that Perseverance has filled will be taken to labs on Earth. Scientists will analyze them to understand the chemical and mineral properties of the samples.
From there, they can construct a more accurate geological and atmospheric history of the Red Planet.
The choice of the first deposit on Mars makes this exploration campaign very real and tangible. said David Parker, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. “Now we have a place to revisit with samples waiting for us there.”
What will we learn from the rock samples from Perseverance Mars?
Mars is an enigma of a planet. Its history is complex. Volcanoes exist there. How long have they been active?
Canyons divide the landscape. What caused these tectonic actions? Craters mark the planet, digging material deep below the surface. And, places on Mars clearly show traces of liquid water flow. Yet no water flows there now. Everything is locked in underground ice or at the poles.
So, how can we learn more about the geological history of the planet?
The most direct way is to examine rock samples. Mars has igneous rocks, as well as sandstones, mudstones, and clays. And, of course, there is dust and sand almost everywhere. All of this can say something about the time on Mars where lava flowed, lakes and oceans existed, and when it all happened.
A detailed technical analysis of igneous rocks will tell how long volcanoes were active. Chemical and mineralogical clues in the rocks of Mars will help planetary scientists understand if they have been in contact with water. Finally, all of this information should help scientists determine if and when Mars could have supported life.
The rock samples Perseverance gathers come from different rock “regimes” in Jezero Crater. Orbital images show that this region was once an ancient water-flooded delta. It appears to be rich in clay minerals and carbonates, which only form in the presence of water.
These same carbonates contain a record of Mars’ ancient climate. Yet here’s another interesting thing about them: on Earth, living organisms can also produce carbonates.
It’s unclear if those on Mars have the same life-supporting origin, but that makes Jezero Crater a tantalizing place to sample.
Establish a rock pipeline from Mars to Earth
The sample collection expedition using the tubes has been part of the program since the beginning. The original idea was to collect the rover and deliver them to NASA’s Sample Return Lander (SRL).
This mission is planned and built by NASA and the European Space Agency for launch later this decade. It should land at Jezero Crater near Perseverance to help deliver the tubes. The lander is fitted with a sample transfer arm built by ESA for the job.
Of course, scientists don’t want to leave anything to chance. So the mission also has a backup plan in case Perseverance can’t deliver. Mission scientists will send some small helicopters go out to collect the samples.
We know it might work because the Ingenuity helicopter has been working overtime, showing scientists what a Mars helicopter can do.
Once the rocks are on board the SRL, they will be loaded into a small rocket that will take off from the surface.
Once in space, it will deliver them to an ESA-built spacecraft orbiting Mars for eventual return to Earth. If all goes well, the rocks should be in the lab for more detailed study in 2033.
This article was originally published by Universe today. Read it original article.
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