Since last Thursday, February 18, the day róver Perseverance the surface touched a Mars, images continue to arrive from the neighboring planet: first, immediately after landing, then other high-resolution photos and even full video with moments of panic lowering the rover to reach the Martian ground.
(Read also: These are the known images of the Perseverance Mars rover).
Although it is true that technology implementation in this robot it is impressive and has state-of-the-art devices throughout its structure, many wonder why the first two images which you sent were at low resolution.
In that sense, it was the same National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Godmother, for its acronym in English), which revealed how Perseverance captures and sends images. On the one hand, he clarified that the first two images sent a few minutes after his arrival on Mars were made by a set of rooms Their main auxiliary function is the controllers that help to operate the robot.
(Plus: That’s how Mars sounds, recorded by the Perseverance rover).
This set of devices for capturing images is called Hazard Avoidance Cameras (HazCams), and consists of six cameras that monitor the terrain and detect dangers from the robot, either in front or behind. Also used by engineers to see where the robotic arm can move, to take measurements, take photos and collect rock and soil samples.
At the time of landing, NASA explained, HazCams were protected by a transparent cover, which will later be deployed. So, the quality will increase, not only in these, but also in the other 17 rooms that the robot has. From that, nine are engineers, another seven for scientific papers, as well as the seven leadership (including the six Hazcams).
(In context: SuperCam that will study Mars in search of the past life).
In accordance with GodmotherOver the next weekend, as the robot and its cameras are deployed, as data is processed in the control center on Earth, more high-quality photos and videos will arrive.
How do you transmit them?
This was the first high-resolution color image sent by Hazard Cameras (Hazcams) installed on the underside of the Perseverance rover after landing on Mars.
After I traveled 480 million kilometers, róver Perseverance uses three antennas to hear, see and send images to Earth. The one who fulfills this last function is called high frequency antenna (UHF). To accomplish this, it sends its signal to NASA’s orbiters around Mars and then from there to control centers on Earth.
(Also: Google: Diana Trujillo becomes the most searched personality).
“In general, a radio signal lasts between 5 and 20 minutes to cover the distance between Mars and Earth, depending on the position of both planets, Ken Williford, one of the leaders of the mission, assured Paul Rincón, scientific editor of “BBC”.
The mission aims to search for microbial life on Mars, as well as to collect carefully selected samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and dust) for their future return to Earth; The other tasks of perseverance will be to characterize the geology and climate of Mars and pave the way for “in situ” human exploration.
(See the special TIME: Perseverance on Mars: a historical mission that brings us closer to the red planet).
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