{"id":192266,"date":"2025-03-29T04:23:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T18:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/visiting-mars-on-the-way-to-the-outer-solar-system\/"},"modified":"2025-03-29T04:23:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T18:23:04","slug":"visiting-mars-on-the-way-to-the-outer-solar-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=192266","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 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Orbiter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/odyssey\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mars Odyssey<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/#missions\" rel=\"noopener\">More Mars Missions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mars Home<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\">\n<div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\">\n<p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">3 min read<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p>Written by Roger Wiens, Principal Investigator, SuperCam instrument \/ Co-Investigator, SHERLOC instrument at Purdue University<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=1648&#038;h=1200&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1648\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=1648&#038;h=1200&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A color photo from the Martian surface shows pale orange, very rocky terrain in the foreground, taking up the lower two-thirds of the frame, creating a horizon line from the upper left corner of the image to the middle right side. The terrain beyond, in the distance, is blurry and takes up the rest of the frame. The rocks in the foreground range from tiny, sharp stones to large outcroppings, the latter showing some medium gray highlights among the orange rock and dust that comprise them. The largest rocks, on the left side, show numerous grooves and cracks on their faces, ranging from vertical to slightly left-skewing.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=1648&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1648w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=300&#038;h=218&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=768&#038;h=559&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=1024&#038;h=746&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=1536&#038;h=1118&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=400&#038;h=291&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=600&#038;h=437&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=900&#038;h=655&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/mars2020\/2025\/perseverance-rover-updates\/Mars_Perseverance_ZL0_1452_0795840021_894EBY_N0700228ZCAM09510_1100LMJ.png?w=1200&#038;h=874&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1648px) 100vw, 1648px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A portion of the \u201cSally\u2019s Cove\u201d outcrop where the Perseverance rover has been exploring. The radiating lines in the rock on the left of the image may indicate that it is a shatter cone, showing the effects of the shock wave from a nearby large impact. The image was taken by Mastcam-Z\u2019s left camera on March 21, 2025 (Sol 1452, or Martian day 1,452 of the Mars 2020 mission) at the local mean solar time of 12:13:44. Mastcam-Z is a pair of cameras located high on the rover\u2019s mast. This image was voted by the public as \u201cImage of the week.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/ASU<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Recently Mars has had a few Earthly visitors. On March 1, NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/nasas-europa-clipper-uses-mars-to-go-the-distance\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europa Clipper flew<\/a> within 550 miles (884 kilometers) of the Red Planet\u2019s surface on its way out to Jupiter. On March 12, the European Space Agency\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/nmc\/spacecraft\/display.action?id=HERA\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hera<\/a> spacecraft flew within about 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) of Mars, and only 300 kilometers from its moon, Deimos. Hera is on its way to study the binary asteroid <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/dart\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Didymos and its moon Dimorphos<\/a>. Next year, in May 2026, NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/press-kits\/psyche\/mission\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Psyche mission<\/a> is scheduled to buzz the Red Planet on its way to the metal-rich asteroid <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/asteroids\/16-psyche\/\" rel=\"noopener\">16 Psyche<\/a>, coming within a few thousand kilometers.<\/p>\n<p>Why all these visits to Mars? You might at first think that they\u2019re using Mars as an object of opportunity for their cameras, and you would be partially right. But Mars has more to give these missions than that. The main reason for these flybys is the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/learn\/basics-of-space-flight\/primer\/\" rel=\"noopener\">extra speed that Mars\u2019 velocity around the Sun can give them<\/a>. The idea that visiting a planet can speed up a spacecraft is not all that obvious, because the same gravity that attracts the spacecraft on its way towards the planet will exert a backwards force as the spacecraft leaves the planet. <\/p>\n<p>The key is in the direction that it approaches and leaves the planet. If the spacecraft leaves Mars heading in the direction that Mars is traveling around the Sun, it will gain speed in that direction, slingshotting it farther into the outer solar system. A spacecraft can typically gain several percent of its speed by performing such a slingshot flyby. The closer it gets to the planet, the bigger the effect. However, no mission wants to be slowed by the upper atmosphere, so several hundred kilometers is the closest that a mission should go. And the proximity to the planet is also affected by the exact direction the spacecraft needs to go when it leaves Mars. <\/p>\n<p>Clipper\u2019s Mars flyby was a slight exception, slowing down the craft \u2014 by about 1.2 miles per second (2 kilometers per second) \u2014 to steer it toward Earth for a second gravity assist in December 2026. That will push the spacecraft the rest of the way to Jupiter, for its 2030 arrival.<\/p>\n<p>While observing Mars is not the main reason for their visits, many of the visiting spacecraft take the opportunity to use their cameras either to perform calibrations or to study the Red Planet and its moons.<\/p>\n<p>During Clipper\u2019s flyby over sols 1431-1432, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/jpl\/nasas-perseverance-rover-will-look-at-mars-through-these-eyes\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mastcam-Z<\/a> was directed to watch the skies for signs of the interplanetary visitor. Clipper\u2019s relatively large solar panels could have reflected enough sunlight for it to be seen in the Mars night sky, much as we can see satellites overhead from Earth. Unfortunately, the spacecraft entered the shadow of Mars just before it came into potential view above the horizon from Perseverance\u2019s vantage point, so the sighting did not happen. But it was worth a try.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, back on the ground, Perseverance is performing something of a cliff-hanger. \u201cSally\u2019s Cove\u201d is a relatively steep rock outcrop in the outer portion of Jezero crater\u2019s rim just north of \u201cBroom Hill.\u201d Perseverance made an approach during March 19-23, and has been exploring some dark-colored rocks along this outcrop, leaving the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/shocking-spherules\/\" rel=\"noopener\">spherules<\/a> behind for the moment. Who knows what Perseverance will find next?<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a 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size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04491_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_796191120EDR_F1141560NCAM00354M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04491_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_796191120EDR_F1141560NCAM00354M_.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, 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https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04491_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_796191120EDR_F1141560NCAM00354M_.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04491_opgs_edr_ncam_NLB_796191120EDR_F1141560NCAM00354M_.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">2 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Sols 4493-4494: Just Looking Around<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 hours ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/sols-4491-4492-classic-field-geology-pose\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04489_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_796011601EDR_F1141380FHAZ00302M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04489_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_796011601EDR_F1141380FHAZ00302M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04489_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_796011601EDR_F1141380FHAZ00302M_.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, 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https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04489_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_796011601EDR_F1141380FHAZ00302M_.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04489_opgs_edr_fcam_FRB_796011601EDR_F1141380FHAZ00302M_.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">2 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Sols 4491-4492: Classic Field Geology Pose<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blog\/sols-4488-4490-progress-through-the-ankle-breaking-terrain-west-of-texoli-butte-climbing-southward\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/msl\/2025\/curiosity-rover-updates\/march\/https___mars.nasa.gov_msl-raw-images_proj_msl_redops_ods_surface_sol_04486_opgs_edr_ncam_NRB_795752036EDR_F1140918NCAM00200M_.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Sols 4488-4490: Progress Through the Ankle-Breaking Terrain (West of Texoli Butte, Climbing Southward)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Mars<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, and the seventh largest. It\u2019s the only planet we know of inhabited\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/272_MarsInSight_poster-jpg.webp?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/resources\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>All Mars Resources<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Explore this collection of Mars images, videos, resources, PDFs, and toolkits. Discover valuable content designed to inform, educate, and inspire,\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"792\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/mars\/resources\/detail_files\/2\/5\/25757_1-PIA24543-Curiositys-Selfie-at-Mont-Mercou-main-web.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=792&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/rover-basics\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Rover Basics<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Each robotic explorer sent to the Red Planet has its own unique capabilities driven by science. Many attributes of a\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1197\" height=\"1499\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?w=1197\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png 1197w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=768,962 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=818,1024 818w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=319,400 319w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=479,600 479w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=719,900 719w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mars-perseverance-si1-0045-0670932474-015ecm-n0031416srlc07021-000085j-e1720460405906.png?resize=958,1200 958w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1197px) 100vw, 1197px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/mars-exploration\/science-goals\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Mars Exploration: Science Goals<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">The key to understanding the past, present or future potential for life on Mars can be found in NASA\u2019s four\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1600&#038;h=900&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1600&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=400&#038;h=225&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=600&#038;h=338&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=900&#038;h=506&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/07\/Color-enhanced_view_of_Jezero_crater_on_Mars.jpeg?w=1200&#038;h=675&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Roger Wiens, Principal Investigator, SuperCam instrument \/ Co-Investigator, SHERLOC instrument at Purdue University Recently Mars has had a few Earthly visitors. On March 1, NASA\u2019s Europa Clipper flew within 550 miles (884 kilometers) of the Red Planet\u2019s surface on its way out to Jupiter. On March 12, the European Space Agency\u2019s Hera spacecraft [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15599],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-192266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=192266"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":193473,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192266\/revisions\/193473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=192266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=192266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=192266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}