{"id":789,"date":"2023-09-23T11:34:43","date_gmt":"2023-09-23T15:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/mars-is-littered-with-15694-pounds-of-human-trash-from-50-years-of-robotic-exploration\/23\/09\/2023\/"},"modified":"2023-09-23T11:34:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-23T15:34:43","slug":"mars-is-littered-with-15694-pounds-of-human-trash-from-50-years-of-robotic-exploration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/mars-is-littered-with-15694-pounds-of-human-trash-from-50-years-of-robotic-exploration\/23\/09\/2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Mars is littered with 15,694 pounds of human trash from 50 years of robotic exploration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 409px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:43%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/teJfr8oxpdkTkbuXAf5BxA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xMDIy\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/900105da9c43f34d7732f5dc6b7ec75b\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;a href=&quot;http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/4.0\/&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:CC BY-ND;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;CC BY-ND&lt;\/a&gt;\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/MXyIYER4ZSciIuNNAlK6qg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQwOQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/900105da9c43f34d7732f5dc6b7ec75b\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><\/noscript><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>People have been exploring the surface of Mars for <a href=\"https:\/\/nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/nmc\/spacecraft\/display.action?id=1971-045D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:over 50 years;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">over 50 years<\/a>. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unoosa.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs<\/a>, nations have sent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unoosa.org\/oosa\/osoindex\/search-ng.jspx?lf_id=#?c=%7B%22filters%22:%5B%7B%22fieldName%22:%22en%23object.status.objectStatus_s1%22,%22value%22:%22*mars*%22%7D%5D,%22sortings%22:%5B%7B%22fieldName%22:%22object.launch.dateOfLaunch_s1%22,%22dir%22:%22desc%22%7D%5D,%22match%22:%22%22,%22termMatch%22:%22mars%22%7D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:18 human-made objects to Mars;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">18 human-made objects to Mars<\/a> over 14 separate missions. Many of these missions are still ongoing, but over the decades of Martian exploration, humankind has left behind many pieces of debris on the planet\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n<p>I am a <a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=ASOEoQcAAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:postdoctoral research fellow;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">postdoctoral research fellow<\/a> who studies ways to track Mars and Moon rovers. In mid-August 2022, NASA confirmed that the Mars rover Perseverance had spotted a piece of trash jettisoned during its landing, this time a tangled mess of netting. And this is not the first time scientists have found trash on Mars. That\u2019s because there is a lot there.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 698px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:73%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/aqkRpkKmFlgEWRUG4ztohQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xNzQ2\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/e58110f271ffc3babb31bad3d30d0b09\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"All spacecraft that land on Mars eject equipment \u2013 like this protective shell \u2013 on their way to the Martian surface. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/mission\/status\/394\/images-of-edl-debris\/&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech&lt;\/a&gt;\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/_KsfNNPJdGJ44lf2a5lPEA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5OA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/e58110f271ffc3babb31bad3d30d0b09\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"All spacecraft that land on Mars eject equipment \u2013 like this protective shell \u2013 on their way to the Martian surface. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/mission\/status\/394\/images-of-edl-debris\/&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech&lt;\/a&gt;\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/_KsfNNPJdGJ44lf2a5lPEA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5OA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/e58110f271ffc3babb31bad3d30d0b09\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><\/noscript><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"caption-wrapper caption-aligned-with-image\"><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">All spacecraft that land on Mars eject equipment \u2013 like this protective shell \u2013 on their way to the Martian surface. <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/mission\/status\/394\/images-of-edl-debris\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/a><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>Where does the debris come from?<\/h2>\n<p>Debris on Mars comes from three main sources: discarded hardware, inactive spacecraft and crashed spacecraft.<\/p>\n<p>Every mission to the Martian surface requires a <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/resources\/25489\/perseverance-rovers-entry-descent-and-landing-profile\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:module;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">module<\/a> that protects the spacecraft. This module includes a heat shield for when the craft passes through the planet\u2019s atmosphere and a parachute and landing hardware so that it can land softly.<\/p>\n<p>The craft discards pieces of the module as it descends, and these pieces can land in different locations on the planet\u2019s surface \u2013 there may be a lower heat shield in one place and a parachute in another. When this debris crashes to the ground, it can break into smaller pieces, as <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/resources\/26694\/rovers-backshell-seen-from-the-air\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:happened during the Perseverance rover landing in 2021;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">happened during the Perseverance rover landing in 2021<\/a>. These small pieces can then get blown around because of Martian winds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 717px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:75%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/UlR_zIxpcMWhlyWN6ch37A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xNzk0\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/47939984b6433d0fc1c16b9da1692289\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"The Perseverance rover came across this piece of netting on July 12, 2022, more than a year after landing on Mars. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/multimedia\/raw-images\/FLF_0495_0710900226_737ECM_N0261004FHAZ02008_10_095J&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech&lt;\/a&gt;\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/66u__ZqFdNcqMaobayXYUA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNw--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/47939984b6433d0fc1c16b9da1692289\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Perseverance rover came across this piece of netting on July 12, 2022, more than a year after landing on Mars. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/multimedia\/raw-images\/FLF_0495_0710900226_737ECM_N0261004FHAZ02008_10_095J&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech&lt;\/a&gt;\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/66u__ZqFdNcqMaobayXYUA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNw--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/47939984b6433d0fc1c16b9da1692289\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><\/noscript><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"caption-wrapper caption-aligned-with-image\"><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">The Perseverance rover came across this piece of netting on July 12, 2022, more than a year after landing on Mars. <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/multimedia\/raw-images\/FLF_0495_0710900226_737ECM_N0261004FHAZ02008_10_095J\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/a><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>A lot of small, windblown trash has been found over the years \u2013 like the <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/multimedia\/raw-images\/FLF_0495_0710900226_737ECM_N0261004FHAZ02008_10_095J\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:netting material;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">netting material<\/a> found recently. Earlier in the year, on June 13, 2022, Perseverance rover spotted a large, shiny thermal blanket wedged in some rocks 1.25 miles (2 km) from where the rover landed. Both <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/resources\/4806\/small-debris-on-the-ground-beside-curiosity\/?site=msl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Curiosity in 2012;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">Curiosity in 2012<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/resources\/5853\/opportunitys-heat-shield-in-color-sol-335\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Opportunity in 2005;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">Opportunity in 2005<\/a> also came across debris from their landing vehicles.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 1218px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader portrait\" style=\"padding-bottom:127%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/uyu0OyIz_7OtkcpmZRaLmg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0zMDQ2\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/dea99f9d72dd7327a1a98d64b9592ec3\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"The European Space Agency\u2019s Schiaparelli lander crashed onto the surface of Mars in 2016, as seen in these photos of the crash site captured by NASA\u2019s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/images\/pia21132-schiaparelli-impact-site-on-mars-in-color&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Univ. of Arizona;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Univ. of Arizona&lt;\/a&gt;\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/5T2UzHHrB4g9V.lV0LIi2g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyMTg-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/dea99f9d72dd7327a1a98d64b9592ec3\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The European Space Agency\u2019s Schiaparelli lander crashed onto the surface of Mars in 2016, as seen in these photos of the crash site captured by NASA\u2019s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/images\/pia21132-schiaparelli-impact-site-on-mars-in-color&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Univ. of Arizona;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Univ. of Arizona&lt;\/a&gt;\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/5T2UzHHrB4g9V.lV0LIi2g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyMTg-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/dea99f9d72dd7327a1a98d64b9592ec3\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><\/noscript><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"caption-wrapper caption-aligned-with-image\"><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">The European Space Agency\u2019s Schiaparelli lander crashed onto the surface of Mars in 2016, as seen in these photos of the crash site captured by NASA\u2019s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/images\/pia21132-schiaparelli-impact-site-on-mars-in-color\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Univ. of Arizona;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Univ. of Arizona<\/a><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>Dead and crashed spacecraft<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/nmc\/SpacecraftQuery.jsp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:nine inactive spacecraft on the surface of Mars;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">nine inactive spacecraft on the surface of Mars<\/a> make up the next type of debris. These craft are the Mars 3 lander, Mars 6 lander, Viking 1 lander, Viking 2 lander, the Sojourner rover, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Science_Exploration\/Space_Science\/Mars_Express\/Beagle-2_lander_found_on_Mars\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:formerly lost Beagle 2 lander;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">formerly lost Beagle 2 lander<\/a>, the Phoenix lander, the Spirit rover and the most recently deceased spacecraft, the Opportunity rover. Mostly intact, these might be better considered historical relics than trash.<\/p>\n<p>Wear and tear take their toll on everything on the Martian surface. Some parts of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/articles\/08190630-curiosity-wheel-damage\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Curiosity\u2019s aluminum wheels have broken off;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">Curiosity\u2019s aluminum wheels have broken off<\/a> and are presumably scattered along the rover\u2019s track. Some of the litter is purposeful, with Perseverance <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/multimedia\/raw-images\/ZL0_0353_0698274371_400EBY_N0095676ZCAM05098_1100LMJ\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:having dropped a drill bit onto the surface;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">having dropped a drill bit onto the surface<\/a> in July 2021, allowing it to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NASAPersevere\/status\/1418673630427287554\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:swap in a new, pristine bit;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">swap in a new, pristine bit<\/a> so that it could keep collecting samples.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 720px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:75%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/5fmugP1n7gMCxpopMm31EQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xODAw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/d00af5347c27d739b670012023d600c4\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"The wheels of the Curiosity rover have taken damage over the years, leaving behind small bits of aluminum. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/wheels\/img\/curiosity_tire_damage.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech&lt;\/a&gt;\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/1Ms9Y5SP8hl6gbSzCJdOQQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/d00af5347c27d739b670012023d600c4\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The wheels of the Curiosity rover have taken damage over the years, leaving behind small bits of aluminum. &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/wheels\/img\/curiosity_tire_damage.jpg&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; data-ylk=&quot;slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0&quot; class=&quot;link &quot;&gt;NASA\/JPL-Caltech&lt;\/a&gt;\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/1Ms9Y5SP8hl6gbSzCJdOQQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_conversation_us_articles_815\/d00af5347c27d739b670012023d600c4\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><\/noscript><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"caption-wrapper caption-aligned-with-image\"><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">The wheels of the Curiosity rover have taken damage over the years, leaving behind small bits of aluminum. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/wheels\/img\/curiosity_tire_damage.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:NASA\/JPL-Caltech;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/a><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Crashed spacecraft and their pieces are another significant source of trash. At least two spacecraft have crashed, and an additional four have lost contact before or just after landing. Safely descending to the planet\u2019s surface is the hardest part of any Mars landing mission \u2013 and it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/images\/pia21132-schiaparelli-impact-site-on-mars-in-color\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:doesn\u2019t always end well;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">doesn\u2019t always end well<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When you add up the mass of all spacecraft that have ever been sent to Mars, you get about 22,000 pounds (9979 kilograms). Subtract the weight of the currently operational craft on the surface \u2013 6,306 pounds (2,860 kilograms) \u2013 and you are left with 15,694 pounds (7,119 kilograms) of human debris on Mars.<\/p>\n<h2>Why does trash matter?<\/h2>\n<p>Today, the main concern scientists have about trash on Mars is the risk it poses to current and future missions. The Perseverance teams are documenting all debris they find and checking to see if any of it could contaminate the samples the rover is collecting. NASA engineers have also considered whether Perseverance could get tangled in debris from the landing but have <a href=\"https:\/\/mars.nasa.gov\/mars2020\/mission\/status\/394\/images-of-edl-debris\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:concluded the risk is low;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">concluded the risk is low<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The real reason debris on Mars is important is because of its place in history. The spacecraft and their pieces are the early milestones for human planetary exploration.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article is republished from <a href=\"http:\/\/theconversation.com?utm_source=Yahoo&amp;utm_medium=related-link&amp;utm_campaign=related-link-0&amp;utm_content=article-188881\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Conversation;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">The Conversation<\/a>, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts. <a href=\"https:\/\/memberservices.theconversation.com\/newsletters\/?nl=weekly&amp;utm_source=Yahoo&amp;utm_medium=related-link&amp;utm_campaign=subscribe-link-4&amp;utm_content=article-188881\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Try our free newsletters;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">Try our free newsletters<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It was written by: <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/cagri-kilic-1379052?utm_source=Yahoo&amp;utm_medium=related-link&amp;utm_campaign=byline-link&amp;utm_content=article-188881\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Cagri Kilic;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">Cagri Kilic<\/a>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/west-virginia-university-1375?utm_source=Yahoo&amp;utm_medium=related-link&amp;utm_campaign=byline-link&amp;utm_content=article-188881\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:West Virginia University;elm:context_link;itc:0\" class=\"link \">West Virginia University<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><span>Cagri Kilic does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/mars-littered-15-694-pounds-123719142.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People have been exploring the surface of Mars for over 50 years. According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs,<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/mars-is-littered-with-15694-pounds-of-human-trash-from-50-years-of-robotic-exploration\/23\/09\/2023\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}