close Video NASA Mars Perseverance rover provided valuable data: Former astronaut Mechanical engineering professor Mike Massimino discusses the complex mission to the Red Planet on 'Your World' Amateur puzzle fans delighted this week when NASA revealed it had hidden a secret color-coded message on the parachute for the Perseverance rover that landed on Mars last week. The message, written by systems engineer Ian Clark in binary code through alternating white and orange strips on the 70-foot chute, spelled out the NASA motto "Dare Mighty Things," which comes from a Theodore Roosevelt quote. Clark, the lead developer of the parachute, had an interesting problem in encoding the message – he couldn’t use any colors that had not already been tested for Mars' atmosphere. Different color dyes might weaken its integrity inside its harsh environment. "There’s all kinds of second-guessing questions," Clark said, according to The New York Times. "Like could having more white than orange, or vice versa, mean that the parachute was going to warm up differently and maybe that would change its behavior?" BUZZ ALDRIN REACTS TO NASA'S PERSEVERANCE ROVER LANDING ON MARS Clark said when he asked deputy project manager Matt Wallace if he could put a message in the parachute, his only guidance was to "make sure it was appropriate and couldn’t be misinterpreted." Only about six people knew about the encoded message before last Thursday’s landing, Clark, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, who called creating the message "super fun," said. He said it only took puzzle solvers a few hours to figure out the binary-coded missive after it was teased during Monday’s news conference. "I’ll have to be a little bit more creative" next time, he said. HOW WILL NASA'S PERSEVERANCE ROVER ENGINEERS PILOT FIRST HELICOPTER ON MARS? Clark also included the GPS coordinates of the mission's headquarters at the Jet ...
When did the curiosity rover land on mars
Astrophysicist discusses how Mars rover can lead to human exploration
National Science Foundation astrophysicist Joe Pesce told Hill.TV that the launching of the new rover Perseverance to explore Mars is a necessary step to eventual human exploration. “Mars has a very thin atmosphere – it requires quite extensive technology just to come in and land,” he said. “The technology that we saw demonstrated on Perseverance will be used in the future.” NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars earlier this month to examine the surface and search for any signs that life once existed on the planet. Pesce said studying areas on Mars that appear to have had water will help scientists understand the planet’s surface makeup and geology. “I can’t stress enough just the exploration quality of what’s happening here,” he said. “We as humans want to know what’s going on, and Mars in the past was probably very similar to Earth. So understanding Mars helps us understand Earth better as well.” Pesce added that after researchers test the technology to ensure it is working as intended, the rover can start collecting and storing samples in the coming weeks for future missions to take back to Earth. “It’s always better to be able to study things in a laboratory, even though the robots are really quite capable on the surface of Mars,” Pesce said. ...
Test drive: The Land Rover Defender is ready for an off-road battle
close Video Test drive: Land Rover Defender Fox News Autos Editor Gary Gastelu gets down and dirty with the all-new Land Rover Defender The new Land Rover Defender is on the offense. (Land Rover) The first vehicle to carry the name in the U.S. since 1997 is a thoroughly modern machine that’s very different than recent retro reboots like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the upcoming Ford Bronco . Unlike the original Defender, which was a body-on-frame truck with solid axles that was sold in other countries through 2016 , the new one features an aluminum unibody and fully independent suspension. That doesn’t mean it’s gone soft, even if its standard air springs are. The midsize premium SUV was engineered for extreme off-road duty. (Note: We tested a 2020 model due to its late availability, but the 2021 version is identical.) (Land Rover) It’s launching as the four-door Defender 110, while a two-door Defender 90 will follow later this year. In the old days, the numbers indicated the lengths of the wheelbases, but the new versions are each a good bit longer. The previous Defender was a body-on-frame truck. (Land Rover) The Defender borrows its flared fenders, a bulging hood, round headlights -- now under angry eyebrows – and a raised safari roof with alpine windows from its forebear, but has hints of the LR4. Land Rover Inside it presents a more utilitarian style than Land Rover’s other models, with lots of storage cubbies, power outlets, easy-clean composite flooring instead of carpet and an optional center front jump seat, but has just enough of an upmarket feel to justify its $51,850 starting price. A small two-seat third row is available to fill the large 34-foot cargo area but can’t be combined with the jump seat. Three-across front seating is available. (Land Rover) The Defender’s standard engine is a 296 hp turbocharged ...
Joe Biden Visits Texas After Devastating Winter Storms
President Joe Biden visited Houston, Texas, on Friday to witness the aftermath of a series of winter storms that crippled the state for several days. “Our prayers are with you in the aftermath of this winter storm,” Biden said, vowing that the federal government would act as “true partners” in their recovery. Millions of people in the state lost power for days, and water pipes burst in the freezing temperatures. “We’re in for the long haul,” Biden promised, citing the federal aid that he would make available. Biden traveled to Houston with First Lady Jill Biden to visit with local leaders, Congressional Democrats, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn as well as volunteers in the recovery effort. “We’re not here today as Democrats or Republicans, we’re here today as Americans,” he said. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visit a FEMA Covid-19 vaccination facility at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on February 26, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) Biden received a recovery briefing from FEMA and government officials and visited a local food bank coordinating relief for Texans suffering the results of the storm. US President Joe Biden elbow bumps a volunteer during a visit at the Houston Food Bank in Houston, Texas on February 26, 2021. – Biden is visiting Houston, Texas following severe winter storms which left much of the state without electricity for days. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) “We’re here to help, so put us to work!” Biden said as he arrived. He was spotted packing canned peaches into a box with volunteers. Later Biden visited a FEMA coronavirus vaccination station at NRG stadium, promoting the ongoing fight to get Americans vaccinated. He repeatedly urged Americans to wear their masks, socially distance, and get vaccinated when they had the chance. “For God’s sake wear your mask. Wear your mask. It’s not a ...
NASA honors ‘Hidden Figure’ Mary Jackson during Washington headquarters naming ceremony
close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for February 26 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. NASA officially named its Washington, D.C. , headquarters building after pioneering engineer Mary Winston Jackson during a ceremony on Friday. Members of Jackson's family and other prominent guests attended the small ceremony, including NASA Langley Center Director Clayton Turner, retired NASA engineer and "Hidden Figure" Christine Darden, artist Tenbeete Solomon, and Jackson's grandchildren Wanda and Bryan Jackson. NASA LEAVES HIDDEN MESSAGE ON PARACHUTE OF MARS ROVER In addition to unveiling a building sign with Jackson's name, the agency screened video tributes with reflections on her career at NASA, featuring family, friends, colleagues, astronauts, celebrities, elected officials and Hampton University President William R. Harvey. In opening statements, Jurczyk commended Jackson's work and discussed the significance of her role at the agency. "Jackson's story is one of incredible determination," he said. "She personified NASA's spirit of persevering against all odds, providing inspiration, and advancing science and exploration ." "My hope is that when we are safely able to return to work in person, walking through the doors of the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters each morning will inspire us all to push forward and continue to break barriers," added Jurczyk. Wanda Jackson said her grandmother never gloated or bragged about her accomplishments. "She was special to us. She was always our hero. She was always our star. So, I would like to thank NASA ... again for showing the world what the Winston and Jackson family always knew about her," she said. NASA'S PERSEVERANCE ROVER SENDS BACK FIRST HD MARS PANORAMA "There's no words that can explain how I'm feeling right now," Bryan said. "I'm overwhelmed with joy and honor." ...
