新华社华盛顿12月15日电 本月初，美国"火星大气与挥发物演化任务"探测器与地面团队失联。美国航 天局15日说，目前仍在尝试联络该探测器。 美航天局还说，目前正努力减少该探测器异常情况对在役的"毅力"号和"好奇"号火星车的影响。包括该 探测器在内的4个火星探测器负责这两台火星车的通信信号中继，目前其余3个仍保持正常运行。 "火星大气与挥发物演化任务"探测器于2014年9月进入火星轨道，已在轨工作超过10年。该探测器的目 标是探测火星的高层大气、电离层以及与太阳风的相互作用，从而研究火星大气逸散到太空的过程。 （完） 根据美航天局发布的消息，12月4日以来未收到任何来自该探测器的遥测数据。该探测器的任务团队通 过与美航天局"深空网络"通信系统合作，恢复了一小段12月6日的遥测数据。对此数据的分析表明，当 该探测器绕过火星背面后出现非预期的旋转。对数据的进一步分析显示，该探测器轨道可能发生了变 化。任务团队将继续分析跟踪数据，以了解导致信号丢失的原因。 美航天局曾表示，该探测器的遥测数据显示，在其绕火星运行至火星背面之前，所有子系统均运行正 常。然而当探测器从火星背面绕出后，"深空网络"系统未能再探测到其信号。 ...

【环球时报报道 记者 刘扬】据多家美国媒体日前报道，美国国家航空航天局（NASA）发布消息称，已在火星轨道上运行超过10年的"火星大气与挥发物 演化任务"（MAVEN）探测器突然与地面站"失联"。NASA的相关团队正在对失联情况进行调查。被称为美国火星探测任务中"最年轻轨道探测器"的 MAVEN一旦彻底失联，将会带来哪些损失？又将会对NASA的火星探测任务产生哪些连锁反应？ 根据NASA发布的消息，MAVEN于12月6日与地球地面站失去联系。此前，MAVEN的遥测数据显示，在其绕火星运行至火星背面之前，所有子系统均运 行正常。然而，当MAVEN飞出火星背后之后，NASA的深空网络未能探测到它的信号。相关团队正在调查这一异常情况并着手解决。 MAVEN探测器于2013年11月发射，并于2014年9月进入火星轨道，已经在轨工作超过10年。该任务的目标是探索火星的高层大气、电离层以及与太阳风的 相互作用，从而研究火星大气逸散到太空的过程。了解火星大气逸散有助于科学家深入了解火星大气和气候的演变史、液态水是否存在以及火星的宜居 性。此外，MAVEN探测器还是在火星表面工作的美国火星车的通信中继站。 目前NASA有3个 ...

Core Insights - NASA's Perseverance rover has made significant discoveries that suggest the possibility of ancient microbial life on Mars, particularly in the Jezero Crater [1][2] - The findings include unique rock samples that may contain evidence of biological activity dating back 3.5 billion years [1][3] Group 1: Discovery Details - The Perseverance rover identified a rock layer called "Bright Angel" in the Nerretwa Canyon, which may have formed in a water-rich environment [2][3] - The rover found green spots, referred to as "poppy seeds," containing a phosphorus-rich mineral called blue iron ore [2][3] - The "Chiawa Falls" rock sample contains small circular structures known as "leopard spots," which are composed of iron minerals that could indicate past microbial activity [2][3] Group 2: Scientific Interpretation - Researchers are cautious in labeling these findings as definitive signs of life, preferring the term "potential biosignatures" [3][4] - The study emphasizes the need for multiple lines of evidence to confirm any signs of life, as non-biological processes could produce similar mineral formations [4][5] - The current evidence is considered indirect, and further analysis is required to establish a direct link to ancient life [3][5] Group 3: Future Exploration - Returning Martian samples to Earth is deemed crucial for validating the findings and conducting more advanced analyses [5][6] - Various countries, including China, are advancing their Mars exploration missions, with plans for sample return missions to further investigate potential life signs [6][7] - The European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin rover is also set to join the Mars exploration efforts, highlighting the global interest in uncovering the mysteries of Martian life [7]

Core Insights - The research focuses on Jezero Crater on Mars, which was once a lake, and aims to uncover clues about ancient Martian life [1] - NASA's Perseverance rover has confirmed the presence of a delta formed by a river, indicating a history of water flow in the area [1] - A study published in Nature highlights the discovery of a rock formation called "Bright Angels," which contains minerals that may serve as potential biosignatures [1][2] Group 1 - The minerals found in the "Bright Angels" formation are rich in iron phosphate and iron sulfide, and their distribution aligns closely with organic carbon, suggesting a possible link to past biological activity [1][2] - These minerals formed in a low-temperature environment post-sedimentation, indicating they were likely created through chemical reactions involving water rather than volcanic activity [2] - The coexistence of iron phosphate and organic carbon is often associated with microbial metabolism on Earth, hinting at the potential for past life on Mars [2] Group 2 - Scientists remain cautious, considering that the minerals could also be products of purely chemical reactions, necessitating further investigation into both biological and non-biological origins [2] - Perseverance has collected multiple core samples from the area, which are sealed in titanium tubes for future analysis on Earth, where advanced laboratory techniques may reveal more definitive evidence of life [2] - The findings raise profound questions about the nature of life in the universe, pondering whether it is a mere chemical accident or an inevitable occurrence [2]

Core Points - NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered what is considered the "most obvious signs of life" on Mars, marking a significant milestone in Mars research over the past 30 years [1][2] - The discovery involves organic carbon and iron compounds found in the Jezero crater, which are similar to chemical structures on Earth that indicate the presence of life [2][4] Group 1: Discovery Details - The samples collected by the Perseverance rover show unusual spots and seed-like shapes in ancient Martian rocks, suggesting the possibility of past microbial life [2][4] - The features, referred to as "leopard spots," were found in the mudstone of the Jezero crater, an area that was once home to a river billions of years ago [2][4] - Chemical substances such as iron and phosphorus detected in the rocks are indicative of the decomposition of organic matter, a hallmark of early life on Earth [4][5] Group 2: Scientific Implications - Scientists believe that the samples' texture, chemical, and mineral characteristics warrant consideration of the possibility of life [6] - The discovery has prompted discussions among scientists about the need for more advanced laboratory facilities on Earth to analyze the samples thoroughly [6][7] Group 3: Future Plans and Challenges - NASA's Mars sample return mission has been delayed due to budget overruns and complexity, with a target to bring samples back to Earth between 2035 and 2039 [8][10] - NASA is exploring cost-effective commercial partnerships and plans to finalize the mission's structure by mid-2026 [8] - The agency's future missions include the Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon [11]

Core Viewpoint - NASA's recent discovery of organic carbon and iron compounds in Mars' Jezero Crater may provide significant evidence for the existence of life on Mars, prompting further research and potential sample return to Earth [1][3]. Group 1: Discovery and Implications - NASA's Perseverance rover found samples that contain organic carbon and iron compounds, which are similar to chemical structures on Earth associated with life [1]. - The samples exhibit unique features, described as "leopard spots," indicating the presence of iron phosphides and iron sulfides, which could suggest microbial activity [1][3]. - The discovery has raised questions about the past habitability of Mars, as it is believed that the planet had a more hospitable surface billions of years ago before losing its atmosphere [1]. Group 2: Scientific Perspectives - Planetary scientist Sanjeev Gupta emphasized the need for advanced laboratory facilities on Earth to analyze the samples thoroughly [1]. - Geology professor John Parnell noted that the rock structures could represent a microbial ecosystem, which is a crucial step in identifying life [3]. - A cautionary commentary published alongside the findings in Nature suggests that non-biological processes could also explain the observed rock features, indicating the need for further investigation [3]. Group 3: Future Plans and Collaborations - SpaceX aims to establish a self-sustaining colony on Mars by 2050, and NASA's findings could influence future ecological transformation plans for Mars [3]. - NASA and the European Space Agency are reassessing their Mars sample return mission, which has faced delays due to budget overruns and complexity, with a target to return samples to Earth between 2035 and 2039 [3]. - NASA plans to finalize the mission architecture by mid-2026 while exploring lower-cost commercial collaboration options [3].

Core Insights - NASA's Perseverance rover has collected a rock core sample from an ancient dried riverbed on Mars that may contain evidence of ancient microbial life [1][2] - The sample, named "Sapphire Canyon," was taken from sedimentary rock primarily composed of clay and silt, which are favorable for preserving traces of ancient life on Earth [1] - The discovery is significant as it suggests potential biological features, although further analysis is required to confirm any links to life [1][2] Summary by Sections - **Sample Collection and Composition** - The rock core sample "Sapphire Canyon" was collected from the Bright Angel Point formation, which was explored by the Perseverance rover in July of the previous year [1] - The sedimentary rock is rich in organic carbon, sulfur, iron oxide, and phosphorus, which may provide a rich energy source for microbial metabolism [2] - **Scientific Significance** - The findings represent a milestone in the search for life on Mars, being the closest discovery to confirming life on the planet to date [2] - The Perseverance rover's mission includes searching for signs of ancient life, exploring Mars' geological and climatic features, and paving the way for future human exploration [2]

Core Insights - NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered potential biosignatures in a rock sample collected from Mars' Jezero Crater, indicating possible signs of ancient microbial life [1][2] - The sample, named "Sapphire Canyon," contains features rich in iron phosphate and iron sulfide, which on Earth are typically associated with microbial fossils [1] Group 1 - The sample was collected on July 21, 2022, and is considered one of the most significant pieces of evidence for potential life on Mars [1] - NASA's acting administrator expressed excitement over the findings, highlighting the importance of this discovery in the search for life beyond Earth [1] - The research was published in the journal Nature, emphasizing the scientific community's interest in the findings [1] Group 2 - The scientific team believes that further in-depth studies are necessary to draw definitive conclusions, ideally by returning the sample to Earth for laboratory analysis [2] - Perseverance was launched on July 30, 2020, and landed on Mars on February 18, 2021, with the mission objective of searching for signs of ancient life [2] - The original plan to launch a sample return lander in 2028 has been postponed due to budget constraints, affecting the timeline for returning Martian samples to Earth [2]