July 20, 20:07

NASA received the first image of the Martian surface in 1976, marking 50 years of exploration

Fifty years ago, on July 20, 1976, humanity received its first visual record of the surface of Mars. This image was captured by a spacecraft that landed on the red planet, sent by NASA.

The Viking 1 Landing

The photograph came from the Viking 1 probe, shortly after its successful landing. The event took place at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the United States, where mission controllers monitored the reception of the first signals emitted by the module. The image revealed terrain characterized by rocks and fine dust, as well as showing one of the equipment's own structures.

The initial image presented an unprecedented scene for humanity: a soil covered with stones and dust, with long shadows cast by rock formations near the module. In the bottom right corner of the record, one of the support bases of the Viking 1 itself was visible, visually confirming the presence of the craft on Mars.

Reaction of the Scientific Team

Thomas Mutch, a scientist and leader of the team responsible for the mission's imaging system, shared his anticipation while waiting for the record. According to him, the screen, which was initially dark, began to display the first traces of the photograph until the details of the Martian landscape became evident.

Mutch reported: 'I studied the black screen, waiting for that narrow band that would indicate the first lines of the first image. And it appeared. [...] Rocks and sand are visible, and finally, on the right, one of the bases of the space vehicle, a symbolic artifact that confirms our conquest with the signal of reality. I say it again and again: 'It's incredible.' '

Legacy of Martian Exploration

Viking 1 remains a milestone in space exploration as the first NASA robot to operate directly on the surface of Mars. Six weeks after its touchdown, its sister unit, Viking 2, landed in another area of the planet to expand the studies conducted by the mission.

In addition to the two landers, the orbiters that transported the probes to Mars continued to collect data from space, assisting in maintaining communication between the devices on the planet and Earth.

Five decades after this historic landing, the Viking mission remains linked to NASA's legacy of research on Mars. The data obtained by the equipment was crucial in increasing human understanding of the red planet and the chances of finding signs of life beyond Earth.

podrobno.uzJuly 15, 13:02

NASA recruits volunteers for one-year ground simulation of life on Mars

The Johnson Space Center in Houston has begun recruiting participants for the Moon & Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA) ground expedition. This unique program, scheduled to start no earlier than August 2027, involves the complete isolation of a group of four to six test subjects from the outside world for an entire year.

Objective and Candidate Requirements

The main goal of the expedition is to provide scientists with the opportunity to prepare for future real missions to the Moon and Mars. Organizers are looking for US citizens or individuals with a Green Card who meet specific criteria: age between 30 and 55, height no more than 188 centimeters, and physical and psychological endurance.

Candidates must have a higher education in exact sciences, engineering, or mathematics and possess significant work experience. The selection process includes a thorough medical commission and in-depth psychological testing.

Simulating Space Flight Conditions

For the entire year, volunteers will be housed in the closed Pavilion 220 in Texas. Here, scientists have recreated three interconnected spaces to model different phases of space travel. Initially, the crew will reside in a two-story cylindrical spacecraft approximately 63 square meters in area, simulating a long journey.

Upon arrival at the simulated planet, participants will move into a spacious single-story Martian habitat, which covers about 158 square meters and was created using a 3D printer. This house is equipped with living quarters, a kitchen, a laboratory, and a sand area for conducting both virtual and physical surface excursions.

Autonomy and Daily Routine

A compact rover designed for two people is provided for more detailed research. In this limited cabin, equipped with sleeping berths and a portable toilet, participants will spend several days in complete autonomy, allowing an assessment of their ability to cope with extreme crowding and temporary team separation.

Life in the complex will be strictly regulated according to a military schedule, similar to the routine of the International Space Station (ISS): eight hours of sleep, clearly defined working hours, physical exercise, and life support system maintenance. Furthermore, participants will be in a complete information vacuum, excluding access to the internet, social media, television, and regular phone calls.

Communication and Nutrition

The only ways to communicate with Earth will be through text news briefs and rare video calls with loved ones and psychological specialists. A delay of several minutes will be used to increase the realism of communication with Mission Control. During the simulation of passing the ship behind the Sun, the crew will face a complete two-week silence.

The volunteers' diet will consist exclusively of dry space rations, while fresh vitamins will be obtained from greenery grown in a small hydroponic farm. These 14 months of strict limitations and constant medical examinations will allow NASA to study aspects such as psychological exhaustion, group cohesion, and bodily function under stress, ensuring the safety of future space missions.

Funding Lunar Projects

Additionally, it should be noted that NASA previously allocated about $600 million to three private companies to prepare for the creation of a Lunar base. The task of these companies is to deliver necessary equipment to the Moon using unmanned vehicles.