Published 20:46 IST, October 29th 2019
NASA to use 'Darth Vader' helmet capsule to carry samples from Mars
The American space agency NASA which is planning a Mars mission in 2020 is now setting its eyes to bring back samples from the red planet back to Earth by 2031
Advertisement
While Supreme Commander of Sith Empire Darth Vader may have been vanquished by Jedi, his helmet is probably going to be put to use in a future NASA Mars mission.
NASA 'ExoMars' mission
American ncy which is planning a Mars mission in 2020 is w setting its eyes to bring back samples from red planet back to Earth, according to international reports on Tuesday. According to reports, NASA is planning a mission to Mars 'ExoMars' which could launch in 2026 to land on Mars, collect samples and transport it back to Earth. NASA's upcoming Mars mission will launch in 2020 and is set to land in Jezero crater in February 2021.
Advertisement
What will 'ExoMars' do?
As per reports, NASA and ESA will collaborate on 'ExoMars' mission to design a craft to land on Mars, a rover to select samples, a "fetch rover" to pick up those samples, a rocket to launch m off Red Planet, a capsule to bring m back to Earth. Scientists have explained that fetch rover will collect sample containers Mars 2020 has prepared. rover will reportedly be smaller than that machine and Curiosity - NASA's current Mars rover.
Advertisement
How does Darth Vader's helmet figure in this?
Star Wars angle comes in return capsule which will transport sample back to earth. According to reports, scientists are designing a return capsule that can safely carry as many as 30 rock samples and two air samples. For this purpose, "All of that fits into Darth Vader's helmet," stated Brian Muirhead - lead scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California at a presentation in Washington.
Advertisement
Scientists have explained shape of Supreme Commander's helmet is perfect to transport samples. 'Darth helmet' will reportedly be packed into a capsule for long voy after being sealed and sterilized. Muirhead has stated that return vehicle will rely on electric propulsion to make its way to Earth, where it will eject sample assembly in 2031.
NASA's MARS 2020 mission:
As explained by NASA, Mars 2020 rover is based on its predecessor 'Curiosity' which was launched in 2011. car-sized rover which is about 10 feet long, 9 feet wide, and 7 feet tall weighs 1050 kgs, which is less than a compact car. NASA claims that rover parts are similar to what any living creature would need to keep it "alive" and able to explore. official launch window of mission is July 17- August 5, 2020, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. mission is expected to last for about 687 Earth days which is one Mars year.
Advertisement
20:36 IST, October 29th 2019