After a seven-month epic voyage across interplanetary space, NASA’s two exploration rovers are on final approach to Mars. Spirit takes the first plunge into the Martian atmosphere tonight while its twin, Opportunity, begins its perilous decent Jan. 25. With any luck, things will go more smoothly for NASA than they have for the troubled British Mars probe, the Beagle 2. For readers inspired to make their own, armchair journeys to the Red Planet, here’s a guide to essential titles, most published within the past year:
December 5th, 2002
Tomatoes to Mars: astronaut seeks junior scientists Montreal Gazette
Everyone knows about the Canadarm, but now comes Canada’s next illustrious contribution to space exploration: tomatoes. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Bob Thirsk was in Montreal yesterday to talk to Grade 5 and 6 students about the Tomatosphere Mission to Mars project – a national program designed to give children an opportunity to learn about science, space exploration, food and nutrition.