Article highlights:
The rock, nicknamed Cheyava Falls, has three critical features:
- First, white veins of calcium sulfate are clear evidence that water once ran through it.
- Second, the rock tested positive for organic compounds, which are the carbon-based building blocks of life, as we know it.
- Third, it’s speckled with tiny “leopard spots” that point to chemical reactions that are associated with microbial life here on Earth.
However, both the organic material and the leopard spots could have come from non-biological processes.
The rover has reached the limit of what it can learn about the rock.
They go on to say that the confidence in biosignature detection could be elevated significantly if the rock were brought back to Earth for closer study. And, it’s implied that doing so would be a worthwhile endeavor.
Also, it will be returned to earth. All the perseverance samples will eventually be returned in a later mission.
Has the money actually already been allocated though? Because nothing’s final until it’s launched.
Nasa had a perfectly good moon buggy that they’ve had to scrap for no good reason, so just because it’s on the cards doesn’t mean it’ll definitely happen.
the win that NASA needs is to stop having their budget slashed
Privatization done right can make things better, but done badly it always always makes things infinitely worse. It’s almost always done badly though, by bureaucrats with vested interests.
Even if done “right” privatization is the wrong choice for a lot of things. Like everything that should be a service for all citizens: postal service, health care, water, electricity, …
When greed is introduced into these services people will suffer for it. Just look at all the examples of privatizations and show me where the outcome was positive for the people.
“badly needed win” fuck off
The title is inflammatory, but makes a good argument about how budget cuts have robbed us of several potential missions lately.
This is exciting! Even if its not microbes its a fascinating find & a win for science.
Though I hate how a someone remotely piloting science experiments via a rover on friggin’ mars has to worry about how “NASA needs this win”. What is the point of humanity if we don’t explore our universe! I find it it so frustrating.
I hope that one day, science can be a goal on it’s own. Not just to gain profit or funding.
Does NASA really need to “score a win” or is that just click bait?
Yeah, unfortunately.
They’re a popularity based branch. You gotta clap to keep them alive.
Sure, but that headline is there for Business Insider’s benefit. If it helps Nasa, cool. But I don’t think Business Insider cares about what Nasa is doing beyond the fact that it may drive traffic to them.
