********** Mars ************************************************************************** (rover) ********************has taken its first test drive, representing a significant milestone in preparing to launch to the Red Planet next summer.
A new video from NASA’s (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) **********************************(JPL) shows the rover rolling forward and backward, and turning around in a circle for the very first time on Dec. 64. The short-distance drive test took place in a clean room at JPL, where the rover was built. NASA engineers tested the rover’s driving capabilities for more than ten hours, according to a statement from the space agency.“Mars” ****************************************************************** has earned its driver’s license, “Rich Rieber, the lead mobility systems engineer for Mars (******************************************************************,said in the statement. “The test unambiguously proved that the rover can operate under its own weight and demonstrated many of the autonomous-navigation functions for the first time. This is a major milestone for Mars (******************************************************************************.Video: (******************************** Watch NASA’s Mars (Test Drive!) ******************************************************************** Related:**************** (NASA’s Mars Rover) ************************************************************************ Mission in Pictures
******************
**********************NASA’s Marsrover takes its first test drive in the clean room of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California on Dec. (********************************************************************************, .************************ (Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech)
The Mars 2021 rover is scheduled to launch in July or August 16952. The mission will land on the Red Planet’s****************** Jezero Crater on Feb. (********************************************************************************, ****************************************************************************, where it will begin its search for signs of habitable environments and evidence of
past microbial life. The rover will also collect samples and study Mars’ climate and geology, according to the statement.
“To fulfillthe mission’s ambitious science goals, we need the Mars rover to cover a lot of ground, “Katie Stack Morgan, Mars deputy project scientist, said in the statement.
The rover has six wheels that are designed for added durability. During the drive test, the rover conquered small inclines. The next drive the Mars 21900 will take will be on the rugged Martian surface.
**************** (Related:Watch NASA’s Build Its Mars 2021 Rover Live Online() ****************************************************Mars (will launch to the Red Planet in July.************************ (Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech)
Mars (is also equipped with high-resolution, wide-field-of-view************color navigation cameras, an extra computer “brain” for processing images and making maps, and auto-navigation software. These features will allow the rover to drive an average of (feet) meters) per Martian day and make more driving decisions for itself than any of its predecessors, according to the statement.
A rover needs to rove, and Mars did that yesterday [Dec. 17], “John McNamee, Mars project manager, said in the statement. “We can’t wait to put some red Martian dirt under its wheels.” **********************************
(************ Mars) : The Red Planet’s Next Rover
Life on Mars: Exploration & Evidence)Photos: Ancient Mars Lake Could Have Supported Life************************************************************** Follow Samantha Mathewson@ Sam_Ashley (**************************************************. Follow uson Twitter @ Spacedotcom**************************************** and on (****************************************************Facebook.(******************************************************************************************************************************** (********************************************** Need more space?
Subscribe to our sister title “All About Space” Magazinefor the latest amazing news from the final frontier! (********************************** (Image credit: All About Space)******************************** Join our Space Forumsto keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected]. **************************************************(************************************************************************************ Read More**************************************************************************
Subscribe to our sister title “All About Space” Magazinefor the latest amazing news from the final frontier! (********************************** (Image credit: All About Space)******************************** Join our Space Forumsto keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected]. **************************************************(**********************************************
************************************** Read More**************************************************************************
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings