Einstein was right: Time ticks faster on Mars, posing new challenges for future missions

NASA has lost contact with the Maven spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars for over a decade. The communication link was abruptly severed over the weekend, despite the spacecraft functioning normally prior to going behind the planet. Upon re-emergence, there was no signal from Maven.

NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN Mars orbiter while it was on the far side of the Red Planet. The communication link was abruptly severed, raising concerns about the status of the spacecraft, which had been operational for over a decade prior to this incident.

Recent analysis of data from the Voyager 2 probe has revealed that Uranus may share more similarities with Earth than previously understood, addressing a long-standing mystery in planetary science. This finding is based on nearly 40 years of data, which has provided new insights into the characteristics of Uranus.

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured audio evidence of lightning-like discharges in the thin atmosphere of Mars, marking a significant advancement in understanding the planet's atmospheric phenomena. This discovery allows scientists to hear dust devils crackling with electricity, providing new insights into Martian weather patterns.

NASA's Perseverance rover has successfully collected significant samples from Mars, yet the mission to return these samples to Earth is encountering substantial obstacles that could delay or complicate the process.

Emerging research indicates that Earth's crust contains significant reservoirs of hydrogen gas, which could potentially provide a sustainable energy source for tens of thousands of years. This discovery highlights the natural formation of hydrogen, presenting an opportunity for decarbonization efforts worldwide.

A new report emphasizes that future human missions to Mars should prioritize the search for extraterrestrial life, highlighting the importance of this endeavor in understanding the planet's potential for hosting life. The study outlines strategic plans for crewed missions aimed at uncovering signs of life beyond Earth.

A new report from the U.S. National Academies emphasizes that future human missions to Mars should focus on searching for signs of past or present life on the planet. This recommendation aligns with ongoing scientific inquiries into Mars' potential to host life, highlighting the importance of prioritizing this search in mission planning.