What Happened to Mars’ Water? A latest Study offers a mindblowing answer

An analysis done by the University of Chicago of Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover data may added why the planet was probable a harsh desert for most of latest past.

The deep canyons on Mars shaped by ancient rivers showed that planed was once warm enough to help flowing liquid water.

But how did it transform into cold dry desert we see today and what caused this dramatic shift.

A latest study led by Edwin Kit scientist at University of Chicago offers latest explanation for this long standing mystery

Mars

Mars

Due to planet unqiue conditions these warm phases were short lived and Mars reverted to its dry inhospitable state.

Unlike Earth which has remained steadily habitable Mars appear to follow natural pattern that favors deser like condition over time.

The study builds on findings from NASA Mars Science Laboratory Curiosirt mission that were revealed in April the rover ultimately found rocks rich in carbonate mineral which could explain where Mars atmosphere went.

A Martian mystery

The explanation was made possible by Curiosity discovery revealed earlier this year of carbonate rich rocks on Mars surface.

This had been missing piece of puzzle for years the scientists added.

To have had liquid water, Mars had have a thicker atmosphere made up of greenhouse gas like CO2.

There is little atmosphere leaving a puzzle of where the carbon went.

“People have been looking for tomb for atmosphere for years” said Kite.

“It really is somethign you cannot know untile you have rover on surface” said study coauthor Benjamin Tutolo professor at University of Calgary

“The chemistry and mineralogy measurement they provide really are essential in our continuing quest to understand how and why planet stay habitable in order to search for hospitable wolrd out in universe”.

Mars has same makeup as Earth its a rocky planet with plenty of water and carbon near to sun to warmed but not cooked by it and today its a frozen desert while Earth fill with life.

Mars

Mars

For years scientists have searching for reply to why you are reading this from Earth and not Mars.

The mystery deepened when we were able to see river carved valley and old lakebeds on surface of Mars showing planet at some point did have climate that was warm enough for liquid water.

“Mars preserves a trace of that enviromental catastrophe in rocks on its surface” Kite said

“And today we are in golden age of Mars science with two plutonium powered rovers on surface and international fleet of spacecraft in orbit that permit us to deeply explore the planet for these traces”

When it comes to keeping planet balmy and mild is not enough to begin out that method there need to mechanism for stability over time that can reply to changes on and around the planet.

Scientist think Earth does this throug finely balance system that moves carbon from sky to rock and back again.

CO2 in atmosphere warms the planet but warmer temperature speed up reactions that lock up carbon dioxide into rock which finally counteracts the temperature rise.

Finally carbon leaks back out into atmosphere via volcanice eruptions.

Over million of years this cycle seems to have kept Earth stable and hospitable for life.

On Mars researchers said a similar cycle could take place but self limiting one.

It hinges on fact that our sun brightness rises very slowly over time about 8 percent per billion years.

As the sun brightens the scientist hypothesize liquid water starts running on Mars. But this water starts causing co2 to get lockied into rocks as it does on Earth which swings the planet back to cold and barren desert.

“In contrast to Earth where there are some volcanoes erupting. Mars right now is dormant and average rate of volcanic outglassing on Mars is slow

Kite said

“So in that situation you really have balance between carbon dioxide in and carbon dioxide out because if you have little bit of liquid water you are going to draw down carbon dioxide through carbonate formation”

Mars

Mars

The group buil models showing how these swings could occur.

They said that Mars experience short periods of liquid water followed by 100 million year long periods of desert.

Needless to added a 100  million year long gap in habitability is worse for life.

Why does Mars look yellow, purple and orange in ESA’s surprising latest satellite photos?

Stunning colors and features are captured in latest image of Mars’ surface.

Mars shows off its swirling yellows oranges browns in latest satellite images from European Space Agency ESA.

The Earth toned surface reveals an impace crater and four sneaky dust devils making their method across the region.

The Rothko like photo was taken by high resolution camera on ESA Mars Express orbiter and captures Arcadia Planitia an area of Mars critical to research about planet past and its potential to house humans in future.

tianwen-2

space epoch

Arcadia Planitia

Northwest of the tallest volcanoes in solar system Arcadia Planitia is region of intrigue.

Its fill with solidified lava flows that are 3 billion years old.

The region is thought to host water ice close to planet surface making it region of interest when planning futrure mission to Mars according to statement from ESA.

Arcadia Planitia is home to dust devils short lived columns of wind akin to little tornadoes.

Dust devils from when the Martian surface warms air just above it leading air to climb and pulling dust with it.

The new photo shows four dust devil as snake their method across the plains of area.

Easy to overlook you can spit them whitish puffs of dust near center of photos straddling the boundary between darket brown and lighter red parts of plain.

A mega impact crater sits in right corner of images and measure 9 miles across according to ESA.

The formation of layered material around crater is evidence that ground encompassed amounts of water ice during impace and lack of erosion of crater dates it relatively latest on geological timeline.

Chinese Space

CSA

Is the image out of focus?

The New Glenn Rocket from Blue Origin: Transforming the Space Launch Sector

Overview of New Glenn

With the much awaited first flight of its New Glenn rocket, Blue Origin is poised to make a significant breakthrough in the space race.

For Blue Origin, this mission marks a turning point as it aims to compete with SpaceX in the commercial launch market.

This mission, which is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is to demonstrate Blue Origin’s superior technology and cargo delivery capabilities into orbit.

New Glenn: What is it?

Heavy-Lift Capability: The New Glenn is a strong, heavy-lift rocket that can carry massive loads into space.

It is designed to rival SpaceX’s Falcon rockets in terms of total performance, size, and capability.

Seven BE-4 Engines: One of the most powerful rockets ever constructed, the first stage of New Glenn is propelled by seven BE-4 engines.

Design Reusability: With a focus on reusability, New Glenn’s launcher is designed to return to Earth after launch, greatly lowering the cost of further flights.

new glenn launch

launchpad

New Glenn’s Importance to Blue Origin

Taking on SpaceX: Blue Origin hopes to disrupt the commercial launch business by directly competing with SpaceX with New Glenn.

The dynamics of the launch industry could be completely changed by a successful mission.

Cost Efficiency Focus: By reusing the first stage, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon rockets, the novel booster recovery method is intended to reduce costs. Space missions may become more profitable as a result of this efficiency.

Information about the Upcoming First Launch

Launch Date: After a brief delay caused by unfavourable weather conditions at sea, the first launch is scheduled to depart Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 1 a.m. ET on Monday.

The purpose of this test mission is to determine whether New Glenn can launch the Blue Ring Pathfinder experiment into orbit without the need for a satellite.
Overview of the Mission:

The first stage booster is scheduled to land on a maritime platform called Jacklyn after launch, and the flight is anticipated to last roughly six hours.

Prospects for Blue Origin and New Glenn in the Future

 

Long-Term Objectives: After a successful launch, Blue Origin intends to establish itself as a serious rival to SpaceX by offering dependable, heavy-lift rockets for the commercial space market.

Continuous Innovation: Blue Origin is dedicated to developing spacecraft technology, and its upcoming missions will concentrate on improving orbital and reusable rocket systems.

Important Lessons Learnt from the New Glenn Mission

 

It’s Critical to Reuse: Reaching orbit and successfully retrieving the rocket booster are both critical to the mission’s success.

Although Blue Origin aspires to this, successfully delivering payloads into orbit continues to be the major goal.

High Stakes for Blue Origin: The entire operation could be at risk if the mission fails, hence it is crucial that it succeeds.

The business has a self-destruct mechanism in place in case the rocket veers off course and is depending on the reliable operation of its BE-4 engines.

Innovative Technology Testing: As part of Blue Origin’s long-term plan for space exploration and commercialisation, the Blue Ring Pathfinder will provide a stage for showcasing new technologies.

Overview of Blue Origin’s New Glenn Mission: NG-1 Launch

With the first flight of its New Glenn rocket, known as NG-1, Blue Origin is poised to make history.

This mission marks a significant milestone for Blue Origin when it launches from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, demonstrating the launch vehicle’s capabilities and National Security Space Launch (NSSL) certification.

new glenn launch

launchpad

The Blue Ring Pathfinder payload will be sent into medium Earth orbit (MEO) by the NG-1 mission, demonstrating the reusable technology that is essential to New Glenn’s creative design.

Overview of the NG-1 Mission

The historic LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, a location with a long history of space exploration, will serve as the launch point for New Glenn.
Design of Rockets

Heavy-Lift Capacity: New Glenn is designed to be a reusable, heavy-lift rocket that can carry large payloads into space, such as commercial and national security satellites.

 

The Blue Ring Pathfinder, a technology demonstration payload that stays affixed to the second stage during the flight, will be carried by the NG-1 mission.

Key Phases and the Flight Profile

Launch and Stage Dissociation

Launch Dynamics: New Glenn will use its BE-4 engines to send the rocket skyward as it lifts off from LC-36.

The first stage booster will perform a descent manoeuvre to land on the Jacklyn recovery platform in the Atlantic Ocean after stage separation.

Ascent in the Second Stage

Continued Journey: The Blue Ring Pathfinder will be launched into its assigned orbit by the second stage, which will activate its two BE-3U engines to push the rocket farther into space and separate the fairing.

Increasing Reusability at a Low Cost: In keeping with SpaceX’s reusability concept, which attempts to reduce the costs of future launches, one of the main objectives of this mission is to successfully recover the first stage rocket.

The Innovation Commitment of Blue Origin

Significance of National Security Space Launch Certification:

With this flight, New Glenn demonstrates its ability to manage vital and important payloads and receives its first accreditation for National Security Space Launches.

Versatile Mission Capability in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO):

 

The Blue Ring Pathfinder’s successful deployment in MEO will demonstrate New Glenn’s adaptability in overseeing a variety of orbital missions outside of low Earth orbit (LEO).

Launch Awareness and Upcoming Opportunities

Visibility Public Engagement: It is expected that a large number of people will be able to see the launch, which will excite space enthusiasts and others interested in the development of reusable space technology.

Considering Future Growth Plans: In order to increase its market share in the space launch industry,

Blue Origin plans to use New Glenn for a range of missions. The company’s aspirations to become a leader in space transportation will depend on NG-1’s success.

The Changing Demand in the Space Launch Market:

In order to launch large payloads more effectively, satellite operators are increasingly choosing medium- and heavy-lift rockets, which have seen a sharp increase in demand in recent years.

New Players: The launch of New Glenn highlights how fiercely competitive the space launch market is becoming.

The space exploration industry is expected to grow more competitive and varied as more businesses launch cutting-edge rockets.

new glenn launch

launchpad

In addition to striving for short-term success, Blue Origin is establishing the foundation for space travel in the future by making New Glenn a key player in the space launch industry.

The company’s initiatives to lower the cost and increase accessibility of space exploration may have a significant impact on the worldwide space economy.