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Washington/Mumbai: The US space research agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will bring the air of Earth's neighboring planet Mars to Earth. NASA scientists want to prepare an accurate natural map of Mars billions of years ago and today by scientifically testing samples of the red planet's atmosphere, atmospheric gases, air, rocks, soil, etc.
NASA scientists also want to compare the atmosphere on Mars billions of years ago with the atmosphere during the early stages of Earth's birth.
This extremely challenging operation will be part of NASA's Mars Sample Return Mission. By the end of 2023, NASA will bring back samples of Martian rocks, soil and air to Earth.
NASA previously conducted extensive exploratory studies of lunar rocks by sending its Apollo 11 spacecraft to the Moon in 1969.
Brandy Carrier, planetary science expert at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (California) and her team have informed that NASA's Perseverance rover is currently orbiting near the Jezero meteorite, the night planet of the solar system, and is conducting various experiments. The Perseverance rover has so far collected samples of rocks, soil, etc. of the night planet. The rover has kept 24 such samples in an airtight tube made of a special type of metal called titanium.
We will scientifically test all these samples to create an accurate map of the Red Planet's current and natural erosion over millions of years. Millions of years ago, there was water on the surface of Mars. If there was, what natural changes occurred that destroyed the microbes and water?
Justin Simon, a geochemist at NASA's Johnson Space Center (Houston) (a scientist who studies the chemistry of the soil and atmosphere of other planets including Earth), has also informed that through exploratory studies of Mars air samples, we can not only learn about the current weather and climate of this red planet, but you will also get accurate information about how it changes with time. Along with this, it will also be possible to know where changes are taking place due to natural factors.
Most importantly, what is the difference between the climate of Mars and the climate of Earth?
According to current research, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of this red planet of the solar system is the highest at 95.32 percent, followed by nitrogen at 2.7, argon at 1.6 and oxygen at 0.13 percent. Apart from this, gases like carbon monoxide, water droplets, neon, nitrogen oxide, krypton etc. are also present in very small quantities.
The Earth's atmosphere consists of 78.84 percent nitrogen, 20.94 percent oxygen (breathing gas). Apart from this, there are also some gases like argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, hydrogen etc. According to astronomers who have done extensive research on Mars, its atmosphere millions of years ago was much denser than the current atmosphere of the neighboring planet Earth. However, the issue is also important whether such a dense atmosphere of Mars existed from the time of its birth or whether it has changed over time, NASA sources gave technical details of how this extremely challenging plan to bring samples of rocks and soil from the Mars air will be delivered to Earth. Said that the European Space Agency (ESA) is also involved in our Mars Sample Return Project. Thus, we have started our Mars Sample Return Project by sending the Mars Perseverance Rover to Mars in 2020. Currently, the Mars Perseverance Rover is collecting samples of rocks, stones, sand etc. around the Jezero meteorites of the Red Planet. Now in 2027, our Mars Orbiter will reach Mars orbit and continue to orbit there. Then in 2028, our sample recovery lander will land in or near the Jezero meteorite of Mars. Our lander will be accompanied by a small rocket and two small Mars helicopters like the Ingenuity helicopter. The samples of Martian rocks, stones, sand collected by the Perseverance rover will be arranged in specially built tubes with the help of the lander. The samples will then be placed in the Mars Ascent Vehicle.
The Mars Ascent Vehicle will travel to an orbiter orbiting Mars and deliver samples of Martian rocks. Then ESA's Earth Return Orbiter will return to Earth in 2033 to collect samples of those Martian rocks, rocks and sand.