Category Archives: Space

NASAs Opportunity Rover is fighting for its life in a Martian dust storm It’s true. NASA’s Opportunity rover (aka “Oppy”) is hunkered down under the heaviest part of the worst Martian dust storm seen since before the rovers landed. I … Continue reading →

The U.S. just launched a new mission to Mars. As in JUST launched. It successfully took off shortly after 7 am (EDT) on Saturday, May 5th from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California! It’s a lander (not a rover) called Insight. … Continue reading →

While the USA was first to successfully fly by and image Mars (Mariner 4) in 1964, the former USSR was the first to both successfully orbit Mars and successfully land on Mars (Mars 3 Orbiter/Lander) in 1971! I bet you … Continue reading →

Mars is half the diameter of Earth, but both planets have the same amount of dry land. (Yes, it’s a coincidence.) How Big Is Mars

While Curiosity celebrated being on Mars for 2000 sols (Martian days) on March 22, I think it’s cooler that Curiosity celebrated being on Mars for 3 Martian years on March 26! Extra Credit: It is currently year 34 on Mars. … Continue reading →

I realized that last year, my first year of being an SSA, was themed “Look Up!” I have decided that this year for me as an SSA is to be themed “Mars.” So here is my first part of that … Continue reading →

Been researching Ceres (dwarf planet in the asteroid belt) and the NASA Dawn mission for my presentation in early October. It’s all more fascinating than I already thought!