Sol 1714: Let’s try that again

1 June 2017

Unfortunately the Sol 1713 activities were not uplinked due to an issue at the DSN station, so today’s plan is focused on recovering the activities that were planned yesterday.  The good news is that we’ll be in the same location for the start of the weekend plan, so… Read More

TKO on Control Network Challenges

31 May 2017

The saying, “work smarter not harder,” is exactly what ISIS programmers have in mind for users when challenging the capabilities and limits of tools and technologies while writing the next best app.  Computer Scientist, Kris Becker, developed a feature-finding program… Read More

Humans May Adapt Ancestor's Way of Dwelling

23 May 2017

When scientists land the US mothership on Mars in the future, where should they go for relief from the elements, atmosphere and radiation? When I last looked at data acquired from Mars Missions, without pareidolia tri-focal lenses on, no billion-year-old hotel exists for use. Space Scientist, Glen… Read More

Third Planetary Data Workshop agenda and abstracts available

22 May 2017

Agenda and abstracts are available for the 3rd Planetary Data Workshop and The Planetary Geologic Mappers Annual Meeting, June 12–15, 2017. Flagstaff, Arizona. There is still plenty of time to register.PDFs: agenda // abstracts http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/planetdata2017/

ArcGIS Online adds support for planetary layers

18 May 2017

Several from NASA and the USGS worked with Esri to include several planetary bodies into their ArcGIS Online mapping environment. While planetary layers have been cataloged on ArcGIS Online for several years, and functioned properly in ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro, the javascript measurement tools… Read More

Can we tell what riches asteroids hold for humans in space?

17 May 2017

Until now, asteroid and near-Earth object mining seemed far-fetched but is now transitioning from the realm of science fiction to reality. Three USGS Space Scientists discuss their vision for 2050 including the rationale for Solar System resource assessment and methodology, and essential planetary… Read More

Sol 1691: Stopped Short at Green Nubble

8 May 2017

The weekend drive stopped a little bit short of the target, but that’s ok because it put the rover in reach of some interesting cross-bedded rocks. We decided to do a “touch and go” plan for Sol 1691, quickly analyzing the rocks in front of us and then continuing on to… Read More

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Gediz Vallis

3 May 2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Gediz Vallis for a feature on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on the Moon: Virtanen F

2 May 2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Virtanen F for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see Lunar map LAC-68 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Sol 1678: A smooth planning day

25 April 2017

MSL drove another 33 meters on Sol 1677, and again is surrounded by rocky outcrops partly covered by dark sand.  Although Rover Planner support was available for "touch and go" contact science, the GEO science theme group decided that the limited reachable outcrop did not warrant contact… Read More