Mars Sample Return: bridging robotic and human exploration

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Artists view of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) ascent module lifting off from Mars surface with the Martian soil samples. Credits: ESA
Artist's view of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) ascent module lifting off from Mars' surface with the Martian soil samples. Credits: ESA
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The first robotic mission to return samples to Earth from Mars took a further step toward realisation with the recent publication of a mission design report by the iMARS Working Group. The report, defines key elements of the future internationally-funded mission involving the cooperation of ESA, NASA and other national agencies.


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All News summaries for July 21, 2008

NASA study finds rising Arctic storm activity sways sea ice, climate

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A new NASA study shows that the rising frequency and intensity of arctic storms over the last half century, attributed to progressively warmer waters, directly provoked acceleration of the rate of arctic sea ice drift, long ...

Lichens function as indicators of nitrogen pollution in forests

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NASA spacecraft ready to explore outer solar system

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The first NASA spacecraft to image and map the dynamic interactions taking place where the hot solar wind slams into the cold expanse of space is ready for launch Oct. 19. The two-year mission will begin from ...

University professor stresses links between US Navy sonar and whale strandings

4 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a series of lower court rulings that restrict the Navy's use of sonar in submarine detection training exercises off the coast of Southern California. The court ...

India to launch unmanned lunar mission this month

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India will launch its first lunar mission on October 22 from southern India, a top official from the country's space agency said Monday.
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