CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: In the months to come, the American space agency will mainly use robotic devices that explore planets and our solar system. Earlier this month, NASA scientists watched the spacecraft Messenger as it began to orbit the planet Mercury. It took Messenger six years to travel to Mercury. Over thirty years ago, NASA sent the Mariner Ten spacecraft to the planet closest to the Sun. But Messenger is the first to go into orbit around the planet.
Messenger has a lot of work to do. While in orbit, it will look for magnetized rocks in the planet’s crust. Another experiment will make a highly detailed map of the surface of this very hot planet. Are there gases or minerals on Mercury? Messenger’s scientific equipment will gather information and send it back to Earth, one hundred fifty-five million kilometers away.
BOB DOUGHTY: This August, the American space agency will turn its attention to the planet Jupiter. NASA plans to send the spacecraft Juno to the largest planet in our solar system. Juno will make thirty-two trips around the planet in about a year. It will attempt to learn how much water is in Jupiter’s atmosphere. It will also try to find what is deep inside the planet. Scientists say that the information from Juno will help them understand the beginnings of our solar system.
The National Research Council advises the United States government on science, health, and technology issues. Earlier this month, the NRC suggested that NASA plan robotic missions to Mars, and to Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter. The Council says programs like these will provide the most scientific knowledge for the money spent.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25