Future Planetary Exploration
More likely, it would be the alteration of rock or soil chemistry in a way that would be best explained by complex organic chemistry or the actions of life. Again, if we were lucky, it could be the presence of organic matter preserved for billions of years. The rover would seek biosignatures using all of the instruments listed above and with one or two instruments that would be selected for their ability to detect organic material. The Viking and Phoenix landers and the Curiosity rover (and the future ExoMars rover) have relied on sophisticated analytical instruments such as mass spectrometers to detect organic molecules. These instruments are capable of much more sophisticated measurements than is possible with contact instruments that must operate directly in the harsh Martian environment. Analytical instruments have soil samples delivered to them where they can be analyzed with numerous techniques and altered through heating or wetting to release gasses or induce chemical reactions. Unfortunately, the budget for the 2020 rover does not include funding for analytical instruments.
Corrections: Since original post, I've learned that there currently is no plan to include a descent imager to record the landing as was done for the Curiosity rover. I also accidentally used an image showing the cameras on the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity instead of Curiosity, and this has now been corrected. The second in a series of meetings to select the landing site for the Mars 2020 rover is in progress. At these meetings, the project's engineers describe the engineering capabilities and constraints on the mission and scientists describe their favorite sites for the rover to explore. Final selection of the landing site is several year away, but these meetings are good ways to catch up on the current plan for the mission. You can find all the presentations for this meeting here. The Mars 2020 rover will carry a new generation of instruments to explore Mars.
The biggest problem when you鈥檙e trying to reinvent a famous product? Often it鈥檚 the very owners and fans that made your brand legendary in the first place. That鈥檚 the trouble Land Rover faces, as it prepares to release a totally new Defender in September. It won鈥檛 be anything like the old one, which we think is actually a good thing. Last sold in the United States back in 1997, the Land Rover Defender now enjoys an almost mythical status among 4x4 enthusiasts. They鈥檝e seen its iconic silhouette on Instagram. They鈥檝e seen these rigs traverse raging rivers during the Camel Trophy competition. Because it was also sold here in very limited numbers, for only a handful of years, Defenders also now command extremely high prices in the used market, often selling for several times their original value. All that has combined to create a huge level of anticipation for the new Defender, which Land Rover is currently showing in pre-production form, wearing a light disguise, in the run up to its fall release. But while this new model will reference the old with some design elements, key details also reveal a vehicle that couldn鈥檛 be more different than the old one.
The final round of the Britpart MSA British Cross Country Championship takes place at Walters Arena in South Wales next weekend with two crews fighting it out for the title. Both Martin Cox and Mike Moran have taken two wins so far this year and presently, allowing for dropped scores, the crews are level pegging so it will be 鈥榳inner takes all鈥?at Walters. 鈥淲e鈥檝e fitted a new scrap yard special engine for the final round,鈥?said Cox. 鈥淎t 300ish bhp it鈥檚 not as powerful as some out there but it is enough to do the trick and have some fun. We鈥檝e also fitted a new windscreen after damaging the old one being towed for five miles. The tow rope is still fitted to the car just in case! Moran debuted a new gearbox at the previous round and he used it to good effect, taking a final run win after Cox鈥檚 problems.
