NASAs space Update: NASA Prepping Mars Probes, Rovers for Close Comet Flyby By Leonard David, Spaces Space Insider Columnist | July 31, 2014 07:35am ET A NASA newcomer at the Red Planet this September is the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission. Credit: Lockheed Martin View full size image NASAs Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission (MAVEN) is closing in on the Red Planet. At the same time, an interloper, comet Siding Spring, is also approaching. Although the comets nucleus will miss Mars, Siding Springs coma of dust particles might be wide enough to reach the planet. Teams of scientists and spacecraft engineers have been studying the prospect that the comets near miss with Mars might spew particles that could harm an international flotilla of spacecraft orbiting the planet. The comet nucleus will make its closest approach to Mars on Oct. 19, and the planets pass through the coma will take several hours. space/26690-mars-comet-flyby-spacecraft-preparation.html
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:25:44 +0000
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