It seems that the past month, NASA workers have been working diligently and with much care. Although there are no breaking news headlines, it’s still important to look at what small things they have done. You never know if those small things could change our world in the future. Well, do I have your attention? Great, please read on.Putting the Spotlight on
Perseverance
This month, I thought we should focus on the Perseverance Rover. After all, in next month's edition, we will cover it when it LANDS on Mars! So, we need some background information.
Now, just to be clear, the first mission was set to launch in March of 2020, but delayed to June of 2020. No biggie! That has given me the chance to write this blog. After all, Perseverance has been travelling in space since June, and it will finally reach its destination on February 18, 2021.
Let’s take a big step back in time to when Perseverance started. The year is 2013, and NASA has just gotten official approval to start constructing the new rover. At this point in time, it didn’t have a name yet, and was referred to as Mars 2020. Of course, tests start ASAP. Everything has to be tested, afterall, and testing takes TIME. And time it took! In fact, testing never stops until launch; about 7 years of testing and engineering went into the Mars 2020 Rover.
Between 2013 and 2020, lots of important tasks happened. Obviously, the rover was built and tested, but it also needed a name. Schoolids all around the US had the chance to be selected to name the rover. In the end, it was a kid from Virginia; they named the rover very well, don't you think?
Perseverance
This month, I thought we should focus on the Perseverance Rover. After all, in next month's edition, we will cover it when it LANDS on Mars! So, we need some background information.
Now, just to be clear, the first mission was set to launch in March of 2020, but delayed to June of 2020. No biggie! That has given me the chance to write this blog. After all, Perseverance has been travelling in space since June, and it will finally reach its destination on February 18, 2021.
Let’s take a big step back in time to when Perseverance started. The year is 2013, and NASA has just gotten official approval to start constructing the new rover. At this point in time, it didn’t have a name yet, and was referred to as Mars 2020. Of course, tests start ASAP. Everything has to be tested, afterall, and testing takes TIME. And time it took! In fact, testing never stops until launch; about 7 years of testing and engineering went into the Mars 2020 Rover.
Between 2013 and 2020, lots of important tasks happened. Obviously, the rover was built and tested, but it also needed a name. Schoolids all around the US had the chance to be selected to name the rover. In the end, it was a kid from Virginia; they named the rover very well, don't you think?
Putting the Spotlight on
2021
Major Events for NASA:
-Perseverance landing on Mars (Feb. 18)
-Launch of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (Late July)
-Artemis 1 first month long mission around the moon, this mission will not have crew members on board(Autumn/Fall)
-Lucy, a mission to study the Trojan asteroids, will be launched (October)
-James Webb Space Telescope launch (October)
2021
Major Events for NASA:
-Perseverance landing on Mars (Feb. 18)
-Launch of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (Late July)
-Artemis 1 first month long mission around the moon, this mission will not have crew members on board(Autumn/Fall)
-Lucy, a mission to study the Trojan asteroids, will be launched (October)
-James Webb Space Telescope launch (October)
In Your Sky
January
Around the 20th is a good time to try and spot Mercury. It's visible every 3 months, as its orbital period around the sun is 88 days. You can really only see it right after sunset or at dusk. It will be only a few degrees above the horizon, so use your fist to measure an estimate guess to find it easier. It will be in the West, and you will need clear skies!
January
Around the 20th is a good time to try and spot Mercury. It's visible every 3 months, as its orbital period around the sun is 88 days. You can really only see it right after sunset or at dusk. It will be only a few degrees above the horizon, so use your fist to measure an estimate guess to find it easier. It will be in the West, and you will need clear skies!
