Developed by NASA, The United States space agency, traveled 480 million kilometers, entered Mars at a speed of about 20,000 km / h and, eight months later, made a successful landing on the red planet.
It was a feat of space engineering, but why did such a sophisticated device send its first images with such low quality?
The agency said on Twitter, “NASA shared two images of the location in the Jazero crater on Mars where it landed strongly.”
In poor quality and black and white, records show the area of the crater.
These pictures were first of low resolution, but soon NASA released new photos this time with high quality and color.
2 minutes VIDEO: Perseverance in animation shows simulation of landing
VIDEO: Perseverance in animation shows simulation of landing
NASA’s Mars Rover Perseverance, the most advanced robotic astrobiology laboratory ever sent to another planet, is coming to the end of its journey. The goal is a complex landing on Mars after 7 months and a journey of 293 million miles (470 million km).
The first two images sent by Perseverance to Earth were obtained by the so-called Hazars (six cameras set up to monitor the terrain) (from the English ‘Hazard Awareness Camera’ or the Risk Prevention Camera).
They have additional protection to help controllers to handle robots and to enter and land in Mars environments.
“Detects danger in front and rear paths of robots, such as large rocks, trenches, or sand dunes. Engineers use the front hajj to see where the robot’s hand can go to take measurements , Can take photos and collect rock samples and solos “. NASA explains.
Upon reaching the planet, the transparent protective cover on these cameras had not yet been removed, which affects the resolution of the captured images.
This record shows one of the wheels of perseverance – Photo: NASA
The agency told on Thursday (18), “These first images are low-resolution versions, known as ‘thumbnails’. High-resolution versions will be available later.”
This happened on Friday. Other paintings of high quality and color, as promised, were made available to the public.
Perseverance has not just Hazrams, but 23 cameras.
Of these, nine are for engineering, seven for scientific work, as well as seven for management (including six digmills).
As more data is processed in the Earth’s control center, more images will transmit.
The fixture has three antennas installed, each with different technologies and uses as an “ear” and “voice” for the robot.
The ultra-high frequency antenna (UHF) is the communication link with the earth.
This communication is not direct, but its signal is sent to NASA orbiters stationed near Mars. From there, the signal is sent to mission control centers on Earth.
“In general, a radio signal takes five to 20 minutes to cover the distance between Mars and Earth, depending on the position of the two planets”.
It was one of the first color images sent by Perseverance – Photo: NASA
Perseverance will seek evidence of past lives on Mars and collect rock samples that will return to Earth for future missions.
It will also test leading technologies that will be the key to future human presence on the Red Planet.
It is NASA’s most ambitious discovery for life on Mars since the 1970s.
“NASA’s most recent focus has been to explore the ancient atmosphere, as the data we have suggests that the planet was more habitable during its first billion years,” said one of the mission’s leaders, Ken Williford, on BBC Said to.
Perseverance carries with it scientific instruments that will be able to discover the chemical trail of life on Martian rocks. These may include organic compounds, which means that they contain carbon.
The robot can also see visual signs of biology, such as the fossil microbe community.
