Space missions: a. Go to the website for NASA's Messenger mission to Mercury (http://messenger.jhuapl.edu). Click on "Gallery" and then "Science Images," and look at a few of the pictures. Are the color images using real or false colors? Click on "News Center." Describe a result. b. Go to the website for the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity (http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl), which landed in 2012. What are the latest science results? c. The Google Lunar X Prize (http://googlelunarxprize.org) goes to the first privately funded team to send a robot to the Moon. The winning robot must travel some distance on the Moon's surface and send back pictures. On the website, click on "Teams" and read about a few that are still competing. What kind of people and companies are on the team? What is their plan to go to the Moon? Aside from this prize, why do they want to go to the Moon: what commercial opportunities on the Moon do they anticipate?

Step by step solution

01

- Explore NASA's Messenger mission to Mercury

Visit the Messenger mission website (http://messenger.jhuapl.edu). Navigate to 'Gallery', then 'Science Images' and observe the pictures. Determine if the color images are real or false colors.

02

- Research News Announcements

On the same Messenger mission website, go to 'News Center'. Read the latest announcements and scientific results shared.

03

- Review latest Mars Science Lab Curiosity results

Visit the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity website (http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl). Look for the latest scientific findings and updates released since the rover's landing in 2012.

04

- Investigate Google Lunar X Prize Teams

Navigate to the Google Lunar X Prize website (http://googlelunarxprize.org). Click on 'Teams' and read about the teams that are still competing. Examine the types of individuals and companies involved, their strategies for reaching the Moon, and their commercial aspirations.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

NASA Messenger Mission

The NASA Messenger mission was a pioneering project aimed at exploring Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. The mission provided invaluable insights into Mercury's surface, magnetic field, and exosphere. By visiting the Messenger mission website, visitors can explore the 'Gallery' and specifically the 'Science Images'. These images are often presented in false colors to highlight various features and compositions that are not visible to the naked eye.
In the 'News Center,' one can read about remarkable scientific discoveries, such as evidence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters and a thin but dynamic atmosphere around Mercury ('exosphere'). More importantly, the mission found higher-than-expected levels of volatile elements. This challenged previous theories about Mercury’s formation.

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity

Launched in 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover has been at the forefront of Mars exploration. Equipped with advanced scientific instruments, Curiosity's main goal is to investigate Mars’ climate and geology, assess whether it has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life, and study planetary habitability.
The latest scientific results can be found on the Curiosity rover's official website. These findings include the identification of ancient streambeds, detection of methane peaks indicative of seasonal changes, and varying subsurface water content throughout Gale Crater. Notably, Curiosity's data has shown signs of organic molecules, which are essential in the quest to understand Mars' potential to harbor past life.

Google Lunar X Prize Teams

The Google Lunar X Prize was a competition designed to inspire innovation and lower the cost of space exploration. Privately funded teams had the challenge of sending a robot to the Moon, making it travel at least 500 meters, and transmitting high-definition video and images back to Earth.
Teams competing for the prize come from diverse backgrounds, including engineers, scientists, tech entrepreneurs, and university research groups. These teams often collaborate with aerospace companies and tech giants to achieve their goals. Plans typically involve using a variety of landers and rovers to navigate moon landscapes. Beyond the prize, they aim to explore commercial opportunities such as lunar mining for resources, which could support future lunar bases and in-space manufacturing.

Scientific Discoveries

Scientific discoveries from space missions often redefine our understanding of the cosmos. They provide invaluable data and insights that can lead to groundbreaking advancements in science and technology. For example:

• Messenger's high-resolution mapping of Mercury's surface revealed unexpected volcanic activity and a surprisingly complex geological history.
• Curiosity’s discovery of organic molecules and environmental conditions suitable for life in ancient Martian lakebeds points to the possibility that Mars was once habitable.
• The technologies and methodologies developed by Google Lunar X Prize teams pave the way for future low-cost space missions and potentially new industries in space resource utilization.

These discoveries also pave the way for future exploration missions and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Space Exploration Objectives

Space exploration goals are multifaceted, aiming to broaden human knowledge and capabilities. Key objectives include:

• Understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system and universe.
• Investigating planetary habitability and the potential for life beyond Earth.
• Developing advanced technologies to support future human and robotic exploration.
• Leveraging space resources to benefit life on Earth and future space habitats.
• Fostering international collaboration in space missions for peaceful exploration.

These objectives not only aim to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge but also to solve practical problems related to human survival, resource depletion, and technological advancements.