 | The pioneering Phoenix Mars Lander continues to send the first ever surface images from the plains of Vastitas Borealis. So far, its cameras have panned the local surroundings, checked the condition of the lander, and recorded the first excavations with the robotic arm. Find out more as the mission enters its second week at the Phoenix Mars Mission Homepage. |
News
Images from an Alien World
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Australian High School Teacher Achieves Space Dream
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Mark Gargano, Science Coordinator from St Joseph’s School in Northam (WA) and Education Officer of Mars Society Australia, Inc and John Mitsinikos, Mathematics Coordinator from Strathmore Secondary College (Vic) have returned home as the first Australian high school teachers to participate in the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Spaceward Bound (SB) program in the Mojave Desert. The aim of this program was to allow scientists to increase their knowledge about desert conditions and further their research in linked areas, while participating educators had the unique opportunity to assist with this research and develop an appreciation for field science and data gathering techniques.
Read the full media release here.
Read the full media release here.
Phoenix Touches Down on Mars
Monday, 26 May 2008
A signal has been received from the Phoenix Lander from the surface of Mars, indicating the lander has survived the rought entry and descent phases, and is now standing on the frozen plains of Vastitas Borealis, in the Martian Arctic. Phoenix will investigate subsurface ice to see if past surface conditions have been favourable for microbial life. Further signals and the first surface images are expected over the coming days.
Read the latest news as the mission unfolds at the Phoenix Homepage.
Read the latest news as the mission unfolds at the Phoenix Homepage.
Countdown Begins for Phoenix Landing
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
 | The countdown has begun for the landing of NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission this weekend. Scheduled to land at around 9.30am Eastern Australian time on the morning of Monday, 26th May, the craft will be the first to land on the Martian northern polar region. Find out the latest mission news at the official Phoenix Mars Mission Homepage. |
Spaceward Bound Australia Homepage Launched
Friday, 16 May 2008
Following the 8th Australian Mars Exploration Conference (AMEC 2008) being held at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide, S.Aust. from the 4 - 6th of July, the MSA will be conducting Spaceward Bound Australia One (SBA1).
SBA1 will leave Adelaide on the 7th of July for an educational program taking in Woomera, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Wilpena (Rawnsley Park) returning to the University of South Australia in Adelaide on Tuesday 15th of July. Leading the Expedition will be Professor Vic Gostin of the University of Adelaide, South Australia and MSA Education Officer Mr Mark Gargano, St Joseph's School, Northam, Western Australia.
High School Teachers and other educators with an interest in Space Science are invited to attend this 8 day Expedition. Find out more at the SBA1 homepage .
SBA1 will leave Adelaide on the 7th of July for an educational program taking in Woomera, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Wilpena (Rawnsley Park) returning to the University of South Australia in Adelaide on Tuesday 15th of July. Leading the Expedition will be Professor Vic Gostin of the University of Adelaide, South Australia and MSA Education Officer Mr Mark Gargano, St Joseph's School, Northam, Western Australia.
High School Teachers and other educators with an interest in Space Science are invited to attend this 8 day Expedition. Find out more at the SBA1 homepage .
MSA Makes Submission to 2020 Summit
Sunday, 13 April 2008
The Mars Society Australia has made a submission to the 2020 Summit, a meeting of national leaders and visionaries to be held in Canberra on the 19th & 20th of April. This is one of a series of policy submissions MSA has produced or is currently preparing.
Read the full text of the submission here.
Read the full text of the submission here.
Cooler Weather Allows More Progress
Thursday, 3 April 2008
In Perth the weather now stays hot until well into March, even April. This makes work on the Star chaser difficult, especially if it involves heat-sensitive materials such as expanding urethane foam. However as the weather changes, it becomes easier to work on the machine and progress has again picked up. The most important developments over the past month has been mounting the floor pedals, brake booster and steering column to the firewall; the finalisation of interior framework; the completion of detailed construction plans for the forward control steering linkage; the further implementation of the engine restart plan; and the commencement of the floor sandwich.
The firewall serves as an important support element for a number of vehicle subsystems, including the control console, gear levers, pedals and steering column, among others. Work fitting these has progressed well, with few holdups. Thanks to earlier wooden mock-ups of the drivers station built during the design...
AMEC2008 Registration Now Open - Catch Our Special Early Bird Rates!
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Registration is now open for the 8th Australian Mars Exploration Conference (AMEC2008), which will be held in Adelaide over the weekend of 4th-6th July, 2008. Special 'Early Bird' Registration Fees apply until 31st May - don't miss out.
Read more on the AMEC homepage and register here!
Read more on the AMEC homepage and register here!
Australian High School Teachers to Participate in NASA Spaceward Bound Program
Thursday, 6 March 2008
The first Australian high school teachers to participate in the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Spaceward Bound (SB) program will be travelling to the Desert Studies Centre, a space-related research station of the California State University located near Zzyzx in the Mojave Desert, California, on 4-11 April. The Centre provides a Mars-like environment for research aimed at exploring and studying the Red Planet and associated planetary science and the program will be led by Dr Chris McKay, a planetary scientist within the Space Science Division of the NASA Ames Research Centre.
Read the full media release here.
Read the full media release here.
AMEC2008 - Call for Papers Now Open!
Monday, 25 February 2008
The invitation is now open for the submission of papers for AMEC2008 on any subject connected to the exploration and settlement of Mars. Full papers will be reviewed and published in accordance with the DEST guidelines. The submission deadline for receiving full papers is 30th April, 2008, with notifications of acceptance to be given on 30th May, 2008.
Click here for further details.
Read more about the conference at the AMEC2008 Homepage.
Click here for further details.
Read more about the conference at the AMEC2008 Homepage.
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