NASA’s Curiosity rover readies to zap Martian rock August 18, 2012 - 14:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The NASA Mars rover Curiosity is preparing for its first laser target practice — zapping a Martian rock 10 feet away on Saturday, August 18 night, Thestar.com reported. Since landing in an ancient crater Aug. 5, the car-size Curiosity has been getting a full health checkup. Scientists said Friday they have chosen a generic-looking rock near the landing site to aim the laser at and burn a small hole. The laser is one of 10 tools Curiosity will use to study whether the environment was favourable for microbial life. Engineers next week planned to command Curiosity to turn its wheels side-to-side and then take its first short drive that will involve rolling forward 10 feet, turning 90 degrees and then going in reverse. After the checkups are done, the rover will head 1,300 feet east to a spot where three different types of terrain converge in a drive that will take about a month. By year’s end, it will start its trek toward a mountain rising from the crater floor. Partner news  Top stories The deal is estimated at $700mln-$1bln, Vedomosti newspaper reported citing sources in the Russian defense industry. Ahmadinejad will be replaced by Hassan Rowhani as president on August 3 following presidential elections last week. Petr Necas' decision will end his three-party coalition government, which was created after the 2010 parliamentary election. "Are these the people you want to support? Are they the ones you want to supply with weapons?” the Russian President said.   Partner news |  Latest news Ryan Gosling crime drama “Only God Forgives” wins Sydney Film Prize  The violent film, which also stars Kristin Scott Thomas, has divided critics since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival last month.David Thewlis joins Edgar Allen Poe story-based “Eliza Graves” The thriller follows a young doctor who comes to apprentice at a mental institution and meets a beautiful patient that he falls in love with.Lionsgate nabs screen rights to “Devil In The Grove” Pulitzer winner Adam Cooper & Bill Collage, whose Moses script Exodus will be the next film that Ridley Scott will direct, will write the script.IMF calls for “ambitious” economic policy reforms in Russia The International Monetary Fund has cut its forecast for Russia’s GDP growth in 2014 to 3.25 percent from 3.8 percent. |
