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ExoMars snaps its first images of Mars

In preparation for its October arrival in Mars orbit, the European ExoMars probe has successfully sent back its first images of the red planet.

The image is very fuzzy with a very low resolution, but that is expected considering the distance. What the image demonstrates is that ExoMars’ camera is working as expected.

Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 

The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News

3 comments

  • PeterF

    One pixel equals 10000 miles?

  • At this distance. Once the spacecraft gets into orbit the resolution will be significantly better, and in fact I am sure it will be spectacular.

  • LocalFluff

    Orbital insertion in October, but it will aerobrake during a whole year!If I understood that correctly. With increased knowledge of Mars’ atmosphere, and growing experiences from for example ESA’s Venus Express at the end of its mission last year, maybe we are not far from using aerocapture soon, i.e, not having to spend any fuel on orbital insertion. Maybe a weather satellite is needed at Mars to make that work safely, but that is not far away either. All planets have atmospheres, except for Mercury. It would be quite helpful for spaceflight. This will be the sixth active orbiter at Mars, it’s getting busy up there.

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