Browse All : Moon and Mars of NASA Headquarters

Moon/Mars Landing Commemorative Release: Gusev Crater and Ma'adim Vallis

Title	Moon/Mars Landing Commemorative Release: Gusev Crater and Ma'adim Vallis
Original Caption Released with Image	(NASA SP-530), that included Gusev Crater as a possible priority site for future Mars exploration because it might once have been a lake. At 12:17 a.m. (PDT) on April 24, 1998-- during Mars Global Surveyor's 259th orbit--MOC obtained the high resolution image of Gusev Crater and Ma'adim Vallis shown above, in part to test some of the proposed hypotheses. The raw image has a scale of 7.3 meters (24 feet) per pixel. At this scale, there are no obvious shorelines that would indicate the past presence of a lake in either Ma'adim Vallis or Gusev Crater. There are several alternative explanations for this absence, including: * It is possible that any lake in Gusev occurred so long ago that erosion by wind and hillslope processes have long since removed such features. * It is possible that 7.3 meters per pixel is insufficient to identify key diagnostic lake features. * It is possible that a lake once existed, but that shore- and near-shore processes as they occur in terrestrial lake environments did not occur on Mars. * It is possible no lake ever existed. When Mars Global Surveyor achieves its Mapping Orbit in March 1999, MOC will have the ability to obtain pictures with resolutions around 1.5 meters (5 feet) per pixel. Sometime during the mapping mission, it may be possible to image Gusev Crater again to look for potential lake features and possible future landing sites. Malin Space Science Systems and the California Institute of Technology built the MOC using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission. MSSS operates the camera from its facilities in San Diego, CA. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Surveyor Operations Project operates the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial partner, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena, CA and Denver, CO., On July 20, 1969, the first human beings landed on the Moon. On July 20, 1976, the first robotic lander touched down on Mars. This July 20th-- 29 years after Apollo 11 and 22 years since the Viking 1 Mars landing-- we take a look forward toward one possible future exploration site on the red planet. One of the advantages of the Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) over its predecessors on the Viking and Mariner spacecraft is resolution. The ability to see"-- resolve--"fine details on the martian surface is key to planning future landing sites for robotic and, perhaps, human explorers that may one day visit the planet. At present, NASA is studying potential landing sites for the Mars Surveyor landers, rovers, and sample return vehicles that are scheduled to be launched in 2001, 2003, and 2005. Among the types of sites being considered for these early 21st Century landings are those with "exobiologic potential"--that is, locations on Mars that are in some way related to the past presence of water. For more than a decade, two of the prime candidates suggested by various Mars research scientists are Gusev Crater and Ma'adim Vallis. Located in the martian southern cratered highlands at 14.7° S, 184.5° W, Gusev Crater is a large, ancient, meteor impact basin that--after it formed--was breached by Ma'adim Vallis. Viking Orbiter observations provided some evidence to suggest that a fluid--most likely, water--once flowed through Ma'adim Vallis and into Gusev Crater. Some scientists have suggested that there were many episodes of flow into Gusev Crater (as well as flow out of Gusev through its topographically-lower northwestern rim). Some have also indicated that there were times when Ma'adim Vallis, also, was full of water such that it formed a long, narrow lake. The possibility that water flowed into Gusev Crater and formed a lake has led to the suggestion that the materials seen on the floor of this crater--smooth-surfaced deposits, buried craters, and huge mesas near the mouth of Ma'adim Vallis--are composed of sediment that eroded out of the highlands to the south of Gusev Crater. In 1995, the Exobiology Program Office at NASA Headquarters produced a report, "An Exobiological Strategy for Mars Exploration"

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin talks and interacts with students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Also accompanying Jennings was KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin talks and interacts with students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Also accompanying Jennings was KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., astronaut Leland Melvin hands a patch to a student for answering a question. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., astronaut Leland Melvin hands a patch to a student for answering a question. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. (left) talks with staff members of Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. In the background are Bruce Buckingham (left) , NASA KSC News Chief, and Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters. Jennings shared the new vision for space exploration with this next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. (left) talks with staff members of Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. In the background are Bruce Buckingham (left) , NASA KSC News Chief, and Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters. Jennings shared the new vision for space exploration with this next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. and Deputy Associate Administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters Jim Jennings visit Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Jennings is visiting the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. and Deputy Associate Administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters Jim Jennings visit Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Jennings is visiting the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Almost hidden in the center amid the sea of students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., are Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., KSC deputy director, and astronaut Leland Melvin. Whitlow and Melvin accompanied Jennings on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Almost hidden in the center amid the sea of students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., are Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., KSC deputy director, and astronaut Leland Melvin. Whitlow and Melvin accompanied Jennings on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.
Release Date	09/21/2004

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin talks and interacts with students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Also accompanying Jennings was KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin joins staff members of Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin accompanied Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on a visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Jennings talked about the future and the vision for space, plus different NASA careers needed to meet the vision and what students and teachers can do toward that goal. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin joins staff members of Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin accompanied Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on a visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Jennings talked about the future and the vision for space, plus different NASA careers needed to meet the vision and what students and teachers can do toward that goal. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. (far right) asks students questions at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Whitlow and astronaut Leland Melvin (center) accompanied Jim Jennings (at left), deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. (far right) asks students questions at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Whitlow and astronaut Leland Melvin (center) accompanied Jim Jennings (at left), deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, talks to students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Jennings visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Also visiting the school was astronaut Leland Melvin and KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., seated at right. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, talks to students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Jennings visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Also visiting the school was astronaut Leland Melvin and KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., seated at right. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Outside Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., Principal Shawn McCollough (far left) and a staff member pose for this photo with Jim Jennings (second from left), deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, astronaut Leland Melvin (second from right), and Dr. Woodrow Whitlow (far right), KSC deputy director. Jennings visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow and Melvin accompanied him and talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Outside Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., Principal Shawn McCollough (far left) and a staff member pose for this photo with Jim Jennings (second from left), deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, astronaut Leland Melvin (second from right), and Dr. Woodrow Whitlow (far right), KSC deputy director. Jennings visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow and Melvin accompanied him and talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin signs autographs for students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin signs autographs for students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin talks to students in the cafeteria at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin talks to students in the cafeteria at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. signs autographs for students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Whitlow accompanied Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, who visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. signs autographs for students at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Whitlow accompanied Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, who visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin joins students in the cafeteria at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Leland Melvin joins students in the cafeteria at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Melvin joined Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, on the visit to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Melvin talked about the importance of teamwork and what it takes for mission success. Also visiting was KSC Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Outside Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., school staff members pose for this photo with Jim Jennings (far left), deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, astronaut Leland Melvin (center), and Dr. Woodrow Whitlow (far right), KSC deputy director. Jennings visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow and Melvin accompanied him and talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Outside Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga., school staff members pose for this photo with Jim Jennings (far left), deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, astronaut Leland Melvin (center), and Dr. Woodrow Whitlow (far right), KSC deputy director. Jennings visited the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Whitlow and Melvin accompanied him and talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, signs an autograph for a student at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Jennings visited to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Accompanying him was KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

Description	KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jim Jennings, deputy associate administrator for Institutions and Asset Management at NASA Headquarters, signs an autograph for a student at Gainesville Elementary School, a NASA Explorer School in Gainesville, Ga. Jennings visited to the school to share the new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Accompanying him was KSC Deputy Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., who talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA?s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.
Release Date	09/21/2004

Narrow Search

Remove

What

Where

Who

When

Browse All : Moon and Mars of NASA Headquarters