Mars Closest to Earth: Latest News & Mission Plans

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the upcoming close approach of Mars to Earth and related mission plans, including details about Mars exploration missions and potential future human landings on Mars. The scope includes theoretical aspects of space exploration, mission details, and speculative future plans.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that Mars will be closer to Earth than it has been for a long time, with specific distances cited.
  • There are references to multiple Mars missions launching soon, including two from NASA and one from ESA, with varying details about their objectives and timelines.
  • One participant speculates about a potential manned mission to Mars in 2013, contingent on budget considerations.
  • Details about the Mars Exploration Rover mission (MER) are shared, including the names of the rovers and their launch dates.
  • Another participant notes the expected arrival dates of the rovers at Mars, indicating excitement for the upcoming missions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the existence of upcoming Mars missions and the close approach of Mars, but there are varying details and some uncertainty regarding the specifics of the missions and timelines. Speculative statements about future human landings remain unconfirmed and debated.

Contextual Notes

Some statements contain uncertainty regarding the frequency of Mars' close approaches, and there are differing opinions on the timeline for human missions to Mars. Specific mission details may depend on evolving plans and announcements from space agencies.

Kerrie
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I hope this is not a duplicate topic, if it is, I apologize...

I watched on science news the other night that Mars is to venture its closest to Earth then most people will see for a long while...and also a mission is planned to land on mars...any news, topics already started or info on this?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Originally posted by Kerrie
...and also a mission is planned to land on mars...any news, topics already started or info on this?

The mission carries two landers with rovers onboard. The Mars Exploration Rover mission (MER) is a two-vehicle program. These two rovers have been named "Spirit" and "Opportunity" by a 9-year-old girl. Spirit launched on June 10th, and is proceeding as planned. You can check on its progress at the mission's homepage by clicking on the "Where is Spirit Now?" link (I check it every day).

Pretty exiting stuff!
 
i heard (just a rumor!) that NASA is thinking about putting a man on Mars in 2013. (providing the war budget doesn't kill us)
 
Greetings !

If I remember correctly there are 3 Mars missions (two
NASA and one ESA)launching this month. Also about the
closest path to Mars it will happen in August and we'll
be about 35 million miles or 56 million kilometers away
(the article I read says it happens either once in
200 or once in 200,000 years, sorry I forgot that part ).

maximus, I don't think so but we'd all wish it was so...:frown:

Live long and prosper.
 
Originally posted by drag
Greetings !

If I remember correctly there are 3 Mars missions (two
NASA and one ESA)launching this month.

Yes ESA's mission is called "Mars Exrpess". It launched on June 2nd and will arrive at the red planet Dec. 24th (I want extraterrestrial photos for Christmass!) . Spirit will get there Jan 4th, and Opportunity on Jan 25th.
 
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/18jun_approachingmars.htm?list856667
 
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