Mars: NASA finally identified the strange object discovered by Perseverance

Remember, we were talking about it a few days ago. At Sol 495, on July 11, 2022, Perseverancethe rover of the Nasa, had sent a stunning new image back to Earth. That of a strange structure in the shape of a plate of spaghetti. And before more photos could be taken, she had, it seems, been blown away by the wind. Despite everything, NASA engineers have just succeeded in identifying it.

It would be, according to them, a piece of net in Dacron – a high tenacity polyester. A piece, therefore, of heat shield of Perseverance. Engineers note that this piece of netting appears to have suffered significant fraying. Suggesting that he must have been subjected to equally large forces.

Debris to study

What surprises the NASA teams the most is not that their rover finds remains of its landing system at the mars surface. Rather, it is the amount of remains he has already observed and the distance from which they are found. Even though the system was deliberately crushed a few kilometers from the site of scientific interest. According to the researchers, they may have been naturally worn on the side of Hogwallow Flats by the wind. And it will be necessary to ensure that they do not constitute a source of contamination for samples taken on site by Perseverance.

Engineers will therefore continue to study all these space debris found by the rover with two other objectives than simply satisfying the curiosity of the public. That of ensuring that they will not affect the smooth running of the mission. And also that of improving future missions to Mars. Or elsewhere…

Mars: Perseverance came across a strange structure lying on the ground

Did someone spill a plate of spaghetti on Mars? That’s what you might think if you let your imagination run wild. Unless it’s a fossilized creature or a ball of yarn. In reality, what we see in this image transmitted by the Perseverance rover is quite another thing. NASA is investigating.

Article of Nathalie Mayer published on 07/23/2022

A gatea snake’s head, a stone in balance… For a few weeks and months, the missions that explore the surface of the planet Mars currently (Curiosity and Perseverance for NASA) never stop revealing funny and intriguing images. This time it’s Perseverance’s turn again. A photo that NASA’s rover sent back to Earth in early July shows something that might look like a plate of spaghetti. Or tangled laces, your choice.

The image was taken on July 12 — Sol 495 — by one of the so-called hazard avoidance cameras that scan the landscape ahead of the rover. To avoid disappointment. But NASA teams have not yet managed to clearly identify the object.

More and more debris on Mars

However, it’s a safe bet that the object in question is nothing more than a new space debris. Probably a residue of thelanding of Perseverance on Mars over a year ago now. It wouldn’t be the first time such debris has appeared in NASA images.

Already last month, Perseverance had spotted a shiny piece of metal. Identified as most likely a piece of its heat shield. A little earlier in the year, it’s the helicopter Ingenuity who had pointed others landing debris. Among which, the parachute of Perseverance. So much proof that space exploration leaves traces. And maybe the opportunity to seize the issue before it becomes a real problem.