The Political Debate on the Landing Sites for Mars 2020 – Political Studies (original) (raw)
The main issue of debate of scientists is the landing sites for the Mars 2020 NASA’s rover. This will search for the potential signs of life there.
Around 200 scientists from all over the globe assembled to discuss the issue on the best location to transmit Mars 2020 NASA’s rover. The option for the landing site will guide into the direction of the research study in Mars for the next coming years. The said rover is equipped with high-end instrumentation system, with which telescopes under a budget are not considered, and also the capability to run-through rock samples.
These samples will be expecting to return back to Earth by decades in the future. By then, scientists expect to find signs of life on Mars. The NASA also long to carry back rocks set having the size of a chalk box. Forasmuch as the second mission is not yet assured, every scientist was a compulsory need to weigh the bulge of return while throwing their vote at the meeting.
The Landing Sites for Mars 2020
There are four proposed landing sites argued during the scientists’ conference. These sites were chosen over the maximum years of scientific research and disagreement. Each scientist who proposed each potential landing site are certain that their proposal is the best one for affirming signs of life.
Below are the four potential landing sites for Mars 2020 NASA’s rover:
1. Columbia Hills
Earlier called as the Gusev Crater, this is the proposed landing site for the Spirit rover. Moreover, the Columbia Hills retain hydrothermal vents indications, where microbial activity occurs, same as those present on Earth.
2. Jezero Crater
This area on Mars is packed with mark of a primeval lake and river delta which make it qualify as one of the landing sites.
3. Northeast Syrtis
One of the proposed landing site, the Northeast Syrtis, contains some forms of the oldest rocks existed on Mars. Scientists believe that those rocks were formed during the time when the Red planet may have had a cordial characteristic weather.
4. Midway
This landing site is located in the middle of Jezero and Syrtis. The advocate of the Midway landing site affirmed that it could tender the best of what could Jezero and Syrtis could offer.
Intensive Political Debate
The process of argument in choosing the best landing site for Mars 2020 is very important for all of the scientists. Option that got the highest ranked was an extreme mission that will cross over 28 kilometers in the middle of Jezero and Midway that could also collect samples in both location. The recommendations and the final announcement on the landing sites are expecting to release by the end of the year. This could be the best time to get that good political photographer.