Missions & Hardware – My WordPress Site

This image was acquired on April 3, 2026 (Sol 1820) at the local mean solar time of 11:29:28. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Astrobiology Droid Perseverance At Work On Mars

by Keith CowingApril 12, 2026April 12, 2026

This photo was selected by public vote and featured as “Image of the Week” for Week 268 (March 29 – April 4, 2026) of the Perseverance rover mission on Mars.

Schematic overview of the data-processing workflow in this work. After splitting the 2C data into three antenna spectra, we first conduct a general comb diagnostics for each antenna, then perform per-antenna PCA decomposition, basis alignment, and periodogram/FT/ACF analysis. The component-level results are finally combined to distinguish non-shared periodic signals from shared or comb-like RFI. -- astro-ph.IM

Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Missions & Hardware, Moon, SETI & Technosignatures

First Lunar Farside SETI Observations for Periodic Signals With The Low-frequency Radio Spectrometer Of Chang’E-4 Mission

by Keith CowingApril 12, 2026April 12, 2026

Chemical processes in molecular clouds, such as grain-surface reactions and reactions in the gas phase, yield fundamental molecules, such as water, methanol, and ammonia. After experiencing further processes induced by energetic particles such as vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photons and cosmic rays in the pre- or protosolar nebula stage, as well as (hydro)thermal events occurring on Solar System bodies after their formation, further complex organic molecules, such as those found in Bennu, Ryugu, and carbonaceous meteorites, may have been synthesized. (Image credit: NAOJ, NASA).

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Sample Return

Distribution Of Extraterrestrial Nucleobases, Other N-heterocycles, And Their Precursors In A Sample From Asteroid Bennu

by Keith CowingApril 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Life Support Systems, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Sample Return, Tricorders & Sensors

A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

by Keith CowingApril 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Camera footprint on the sky, including the expected in-flight absolute pointing error. Different colours represent different number of cameras observing the same region of the sky. Grey stars belong to the PIC, but they will not be observed in LOPS2 with the nominal pointing error budget. On the right panel there is a detail of the misalignment of the N-CAMs with respect to the commanded attitude. -- astro-ph.EP

Astronauts and Explorers, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware

Assessment Of PLATO Science Performance

by Keith CowingApril 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Sky plot of nine cPIC targets that are present in all stellar reference samples. Their PIC names are indicated with labels. -- astro-ph.IM

Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Missions & Hardware

Planet Finder PLATO Input Catalogs For Technical Calibration And Fine Guidance

by Keith CowingApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

A closer view of the supercritical climbing wind ripples that provide direct evidence of a sandstorm, roughly three and a half billion years ago. Credit NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Serendipitous Discovery Of Martian Ripple Marks Reveals An Ancient Sandstorm

by Keith CowingApril 4, 2026April 4, 2026

Micro-characteristics of 40 mJ × 80 times laser-irradiated Kheneg Ljouâd powders observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). a SEM secondary electron image of irradiated powder. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return

Tianwen-2 Target Asteroid (469219) Kamo’oalewa Probably Develops An Itokawa-compositional But Ultra-highly Space-weathered Surface

by Keith CowingApril 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Legged robot performing analogue tests in Marslabor at the University of Basel. Credit: Dr Tomaso Bontognali.

Analog Studies, Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains & Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Legged Robot Could Accelerate Resource Prospecting On The Moon And The Search For Life On Mars

by Keith CowingApril 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Biomarkers on the Icy Jovian Moons: Can Europa Also Provide Insights into Life’s Origin?

by Keith CowingMarch 31, 2026March 31, 2026