ASHWIN VASAVADA: “This is a Mars scientist's dream machine. We're so excited to have this rover going to Mars this year. It's going to be the virtual presence for over 200 scientists around the world to explore Mars and Gale Crater that we'll talk about. This rover is not only the most technically capable rover ever sent to another planet, but it's actually the most capable scientific explorer we've ever sent out.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: “Curiosity” is much larger than earlier rovers. It has a plutonium-fueled nuclear reactor that will provide plenty of power for “Curiosity’s” many activities. The vehicle also has 17 cameras, and a laser that can examine the chemical make-up of rocks.
ASHWIN VASAVADA: “What really dominates the design of this rover is the fact that it has this ability to sample rocks and soils on Mars for the first time, and so it has a big six-foot [1.8 meter] robotic arm. And the rover is partly that big because it holds two very capable scientific laboratories inside the rover.”
FAITH LAPIDUS: One instrument measures the minerals in rocks and soil. Another looks for chemicals and any organic material that might be present.
The goal of the experiment is to learn if Mars ever had environmental conditions that could have supported microorganisms.
ASHWIN VASAVADA: “This mission is really about looking for those habitable environments, and not detecting life itself.”
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25