Meet two of the Martian samples that have been collected and are awaiting return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. As of June 2023, NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover has collected and sealed 19 scientifically selected samples inside pristine tubes. The next stage is to get them back for study.
Considered one of the highest priorities by the scientists in the Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032, Mars Sample Return would be the first mission to return samples from another planet and provides the best opportunity to reveal the early evolution of Mars, including the potential for ancient life. NASA is teaming with ESA (European Space Agency) on this important endeavor.
Learn more about Samples No. 12 and 13 – “Hazeltop” and “Bearwallow” – a pair of rock cores from a fine-grained sedimentary rock that scientists believe could have good characteristics for preserving signs of ancient microbes, if they were ever present. #space #discovery #science #solarsystem #redplanet #new #mars #nasa #red #planet #4k #space agencies #chief nasa scientist #astronauts #desert #science
Read about all the carefully selected samples: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars-rock-samples
Learn more about the Mars Sample Return campaign: https://mars.nasa.gov/msr
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