Science Report: Curiosity rover confirms, Mars was the second Earth, but there is still an unexplained mystery

The data provided by NASA’s Curiosity rover confirms what has been suspected for some time, namely that Mars had, billions of years ago, conditions similar to those on Earth. And this means that on Mars, life could have appeared as it did on our planet. And here comes the mystery that NASA specialists have not been able to explain until now. Other Science Report news: ● How the ‘wall of death’ could be used to create artificial gravity on the Moon ● Nokia to finally bring 4G technology to the Moon

The Curiosity rover confirms, Mars was the second Earth, but there is a mystery still unexplained

The data provided by NASA’s Curiosity rover confirms what has been suspected for some time, namely that Mars had, billions of years ago, conditions similar to those on Earth. And this means that on Mars, life could have appeared as it did on our planet.

Specifically, the Curiosity rover identified a large amount of manganese oxide, an inorganic compound found in large quantities on Earth, especially in lake areas, where manganese crystals form in the presence of oxygen. And its discovery in large quantities in the Gale Crater area, where the rover is located, points to an extinct environment, similar in many ways to the terrestrial one.

And here comes the mystery that NASA specialists have not been able to explain until now. Such manganese oxide deposits appear on Earth as a result of the large amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, oxygen produced by photosynthetic organisms. Bacteria capable of generating manganese oxidation reactions also enter the same equation.

The problem is that there are no such organisms on Mars, or at least we have no evidence (yet) that they ever existed on the Red Planet. Analyzes of the Martian surface indicated that the manganese oxide deposits appeared as a result of the presence of a large amount of oxygen and an aquatic environment.

Moreover, it is a stable environment, at least in the Gale Crater area, given that deposits of this kind take thousands or tens of thousands of years to form. And that inevitably leads to the question of the origin of Martian oxygen. Where did it appear in such large quantities as to allow the appearance of manganese oxide deposits?

The French-American research team that published the study in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets launches an interesting hypothesis, but one that needs to be confirmed. Namely, that oxygen could have reached Mars in the early days of the planet, as a result of the impact of asteroids with the Martian surface, as a result of which the oxygen would have been released from the ice deposits in their composition.

It’s a mystery that could be explained by another rover, Perserverance, which is currently exploring the tracks of a missing delta. Whether it was microbial life capable of photosynthesis, or whether it was abiotic processes, that is yet to be elucidated.

How the “wall of death” can be used to create artificial gravity on the moon

A permanent monthly basis sounds extremely tempting. It is needless to emphasize here how important such a step is for the history and future of humanity. However, there are some problems that many overlook. And one of these is that of microgravity.

Given that the future astronauts who will occupy the base should live there for a period of several weeks or even months, the effects of microgravity will be felt on them. It is about cardiovascular problems, muscle atrophy, bone demineralization, etc. And we’re only talking about the ones we already know.

A more than interesting study published in the Royal Society Open Science by a physiologist from the University of Milan, Alberto Minetti by his name, offers an ingenious solution. The Italian researcher states that the physical exercises that astronauts regularly perform in microgravity conditions are not the best solution.

Basically, they train only certain muscle groups, and the benefits of such exercises are reduced. But there is a solution, even if it seems atypical. Alberto Minetti claims that recreating a centrifuge system could compensate for all the shortcomings of classical exercises. And the model is that provided by the so-called “wall of death”, a circular structure that, on Earth, is used for performances given by motorcyclists or car drivers.

Astronauts who will live on the Moon could use such structures to run in circles, parallel to the surface of the Moon. On Earth, this would be impossible. But, on the Moon, it would be not only practical but also beneficial, claims the Italian specialist.

Such exercises would be particularly useful for preserving muscle mass, bone density, regulating cardiovascular rhythm and neural control. The hypothesis was demonstrated in an environment that simulates the conditions on the Moon, and two volunteers, one 33 years old and the other 36 years old, participated in them.

Tests showed that participants, supported by bungee cords, were able to run safely and also return to the ground without injury. Basically, it is about the individual creation of one’s own artificial gravity, claims the author of the study. One that, even if it lasts for a limited time, allows astronauts to experience conditions close to those on Earth.

In short, the Italian physiologist concludes, the solution to create artificial gravity is much cheaper and more accessible than the complicated technologies that are currently in the project phase. And his solution, he says, if implemented by NASA or other space agencies, could also be used on Mars.

Nokia will finally take 4G technology to the moon

After it has been announced for the last four years that 4G technology will reach the moon, thanks to a partnership between NASA and Nokia, it seems that the step will finally take place at the end of this year, reports Space.com. In fact, it is only a first step, because NASA intends to take such technology, in the more or less near future, even to Mars. Even to replace the network, to the horror of some, with a 5G one.

The initiative started in 2020, when NASA concluded partnership contracts with 14 companies, with the aim of them developing technologies to be used in the Artemis program. As for Nokia, the company received $14.1 million to build the first mobile phone network on the Moon.

In fact, it is not about creating such a technology from scratch. Rather, Nokia aimed to adapt current technology to the lunar environment. And if everything goes well, it will be tested on the moon, as I said, at the end of this year.

The equipment will consist of a selenization module (Nova-C), a rover (MAPP) and a lunar probe (Micro Nova). The equipment will be launched on a SpaceX rocket as part of the Intuitive Machines-2 (IM-2) mission, and will be launched using a SpaceX rocket.

The first step will be to test the technology over short and long distances on the surface of the Moon and its purpose is to provide support for missions that are expected to take place in the next at least 20 years. Basically, the Nokia network will provide a much more efficient bandwidth than that used so far in space communications. That will allow not only a faster method of communication between astronauts, but also between robotic systems on the Moon.

Obviously, not everyone is happy with the installation of such technology on the moon. Several radio astronomers have argued that the network will create interference that will cause problems for radio observations. Nokia claims, however, that this problem will be solved relatively easily, using only certain frequencies, so as not to interfere with radio observatories.

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