Monthly Space News Recap - July 2024
Top 5 of the month's most interesting space updates
4 astronauts emerge from year-long Mars simulation
Four NASA astronauts emerged from a year-long Mars simulation, having endured simulated Martian conditions, delayed communication with Earth, and isolation. They conducted Mars walks, grew food, and spent most of their time inside a 3D-printed habitat. To learn more about their habitat click here.
Ariane-6 completes its inaugural launch after 4 years of delays
ESA’s Ariane-6 rocket successfully completed its first flight after nearly four years of delays. Designed for lower costs and larger payloads, the rocket carried microsatellites for research as it was just a test flight.
Space-X rocket fails after more than 350 successful missions
Recently, SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket attempted to put 20 Starlink constellation satellites into low earth orbit. Unfortunately, the second stage of the rocket failed and put the satellites in a very low, un-recoverable orbit. The satellites probably burnt up in the earth’s atmosphere. This failure has broken the rocket’s streak of more than 350 successful missions in the past.
Curiosity rover accidentally discovers Sulfur on Mars
Last month, NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover accidentally discovered pure Sulfur on Mars. The rover drove over a rock and accidentally cracked it open. The rock was found to contain yellow crystals of pure Sulfur which have never been seen before on Mars.
NASA finds signs of possible life on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance rover found a rock with leopard spot-like marks and traces of organic matter, iron, and phosphate—potential indicators of past life and water. All such features have never been seen together before, and that is what makes the scientists so excited about this discovery. We cannot however jump to conclusions as more analysis needs to be done on this.
