A highly successful test of a prototype power generator at the University of Dayton Research Institute bodes well for NASA’s plans to expand its exploration of Mars with the next rover mission.
In early February, NASA scientists narrowed down potential landing sites for Mars 2020 to three—Northeast Syrtis, Jezero Crater and Columbia Hills—at least one of which is likely to be warmer than sites where previous rovers landed. Simultaneously, researchers in Dayton performed a high-temperature qualifying test on a power generator prototype to see if it would operate successfully at the higher temperatures that may be experienced by the generator powering the next rover. More >>
