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Mars Express Sends Back First Photo of Mars
Andrew Browne writes "Today the European Space Agency received the first photo of Mars from its Mars Express probe. The photo was taken on December 1st and processed by the DLR Institute for Planetary Research and by the Freie Universitat Berlin. Mars Express was launched June 2nd of this year and is due to arrive at the Red planet later this month. The extremely speedy voyage is thanks to our close approach to Mars this summer. Other probes taking advantage of the launch window include NASA's Spirit and Opportunity Mars Exploration Rovers. You can track the progress of all the probes heading to Mars with NASA's solar system simulator."
Pale blue dot much. Wow the solar system simulator really puts things in perspective. Thank America and Russia's donations to the space industry, as well as Nazi-Germany for the work we bought from the V2, with the promise of immunity.
Or, maybe we could thank the Chinese and their contributions to the first explosions of inspiration. (heh)
Well, whatever If we can get to the NEARest planetary body and settle it MAYBE we can think about doing so to mars..... but I wouldn't hold my breath. Not until the acid rain falling periodically around the world actually starts eating through the oil rigs, and other foundations of "natural" resources we plunder the long dead veins of the earth for.
Not that currently there are any better options (most would require a larger research base, and battery style storage is not feasible as this damages the environment upon eventual disposal of said batteries.)
Well, considering that the picture was taken in a distance of 5.5 million km, by a spacecraft moving aproximatly 11-12 km pr sec. by a camera, which resolution could be maximum 20 megapixel, I think it's a rather good picture...
Have a nice day!