Listen to this PodcastMore 60-Second Space
Planetary scientists may soon get the dirt on a Martian moon—literally. A Russian spacecraft will soon depart for Phobos, the larger of Mars's two tiny moons. It will attempt to land there, scoop up some soil and return it to Earth for analysis. The spacecraft, called Phobos-Grunt, launches as soon as November 8th.
Phobos–Grunt is bringing a couple of tagalongs on the trip. One is China's first Mars craft, a small satellite called Yinghuo 1 that will orbit Mars. The other is a project of the nonprofit Planetary Society: a biological experiment called Phobos LIFE. It's a canister smaller than a hockey puck loaded with little organisms—bacteria, plant seeds, even some tiny invertebrate animals called water bears.
If all goes according to plan, the critters in Phobos LIFE will spend three years in space on the round-trip journey. The idea is to see if ancient life could have survived space travel to migrate between the planets on meteoroids. But Mars missions are complex, and plenty have failed. Phobos-Grunt will be Russia's first [Mars] attempt since an unsuccessful launch 15 years ago. Here's wishing Phobos–Grunt, and its passengers, a safe journey.
—John Matson
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
See what we're tweeting about
17 Comments
Add CommentGo to the Mars! I hope I can see the landing of mankind on the Mars before I am dying.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThat's not soil on the moon, it's regolith. Unless it was partially formed by plant roots and that would really be a spectacular find.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm afraid you do need to explain in great detail why you wish to hold back scientific progress to satisfy your personal grudges. I have never read anything as selfish as your comment.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou're a pathetic self centered fool, but why should no one else wish for Russia's success. You may think it is self evident but it is NOT. Science and the collective knowledge of humanity doesn't know or respect borders or race.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWould you be upset if someone from another country discovered the cure for cancer?
We must think Globally.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIs any one concerned that putting life from this planet on another may not be such a good idea?
Comparing Russia to Nazi Germany is idiotic. Your tenuous grasp of the state of international politics is as poor as your tenuous grip on reality. My only consolation is that without even knowing you, I am certain that you hold absolutely no position of authority in this world.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWho said anything about putting our life on another planet? Please read the article carefully before posting nonsense.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWake up USA. This is a major milestone.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou're either a troll or the anti-intelligence. What, you think they're going to make some experimental Mars-dirt based weaponry to help start the next Communist revolution?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChristopherLee -- Perhaps if you understood how planetary science is an international effort benefiting US science every bit as much as science in Russia -- maybe then you wouldn't be so quick to pout. By all means, if the missions succeeds, you should also boycott any published discoveries -- a number that would be written by American researchers who are this very minute working with the Phobos sample-return team.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Perhaps if you understood how planetary science is an international effort benefiting US science every bit as much as science in Russia" -- That's kind of a funny way of looking at Mars exploration, considering that only about 4 missions from other countries have survived their trip to Mars (one Soviet mission died 15 seconds after landing), compared to the dozen or so successful U.S. missions.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe've seen worse. Carl Sagan, a founder of the Planetary Society, was a strong advocate for uniting with Communist Soviets in space exploration. At least Russia isn't a Communist country, now, even if it has dictatorial leanings.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe Planetary Society has suffered expensive lessons in placing their projects on Russian rockets. This doesn't seem to bother them, as they turn right back around and do it, again. As if Russian rocket failures to reach Earth orbit weren't enough, Russian record for functioning equipment reaching Mars isn't too great, either. Don't hold your breath for this return sample to arrive back at Earth.
Wow, just wow. I have seen a lot of ridiculous comments in my time spent on the internet and in all honesty, one comes to expect as much when using the internet. With that being said, CL's comment is hands down the most repulsive comment I have come across yet. To actually wish the astronomical community failure, on a mission whose sole purpose is the better understanding of our own solar system, is nothing short of disgusting. Actually disgusting doesn't even begin to properly define such a comment.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOh well, I guess there is really no limit to the utter stupidity one can find on the internet. Get some help Chris as its clear you have some SERIOUS issues.
I doubt the sole purpose of this mission is to obtain a better scientific understand of our solar system. I am led to believe that the first reason for any nation undertaking a space exploration mission is technological showmanship. China, in particular, has undertaken several space initiatives that appear to have no other purpose apart from achieving international credentials as a technologically-advanced nation.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe russians are wasting their money. Even if they do manage to bring back some dirt from Phobos all they will be getting the same stuff that rains down on us every day or another sample identical to the Stardust samples.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe russians are wasting their money. Even if they do manage to bring back some dirt from Phobos all they will be getting the same stuff that rains down on us every day or another sample identical to the Stardust samples.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy? Are we short on Dust, now?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this.