From Dream to Mars: The Inspiring Journey of India's First Mars Rover Operator!

Dr. Akshata Krishnamurthy recently turned her dream into reality and inspired millions when she became the first Indian citizen to steer a Mars rover, tasked with retrieving samples destined for Earth. Akshata Krishnamurthy, an Indian researcher, chronicled her remarkable odyssey to NASA in an Instagram post. Arriving in the United States 13 years ago, her vision was crystal clear: to pioneer breakthroughs in science and steer robotic missions on Earth and Mars.  As a foreign national on a visa, many tried to discourage her deeming her aspirations to be unachievable. However,  Akshata remained resolute, unfazed by naysayers. Undeterred, she pursued her ambition unwaveringly. Akshata completed her PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Yet, her journey to secure a full-time position at NASA was far from effortless. She had to knock on countless doors and she persevered until she found her rightful place. “Today, I work on multiple cool space missions including the Perseverance rover collecting samples to bring back to Earth. No dream is ever too big or crazy. Believe in yourself, keep those blinkers on and keep working! I promise, you’ll get there if you work hard,” she further wrote in her post, echoing words of encouragement for aspiring minds.

Life on Mars? Rover Finds Liquid Salt Water - a Game Changer for Possibility of Extraterrestrial Life

NASA's Mars rover, Perseverance, has made a groundbreaking discovery on the Red Planet: liquid salt water. This is the first time that such water has been detected on Mars, and it has excited the scientific community, as it could have significant implications for the possibility of finding life on Mars.   The water was discovered in the Jezero Crater, a location that was once home to a lake billions of years ago. Perseverance used its instruments to analyze the soil and rocks in the area and found that the water was not only present but also quite salty, with a concentration of about 3.5% salt.   This discovery is significant because it suggests that liquid water may be more common on Mars than previously believed. Scientists have long been searching for signs of life on Mars, and liquid water is considered a crucial ingredient for the existence of life as we know it. The presence of salt water also raises the possibility of the existence of extremophiles, organisms that can survive in extreme environments.   The discovery of liquid salt water on Mars is also a major milestone for space exploration. It demonstrates the capabilities of the Perseverance rover and the instruments it carries, which were specifically designed to search for signs of life on Mars. It also sets the stage for future missions to Mars, as scientists will now be able to focus their efforts on areas where liquid water is more likely to be found.   NASA officials have called the discovery "an exciting first step" and have pledged to continue their search for signs of past or present life on Mars. The Perseverance rover will continue to explore the Jezero Crater and other areas of interest on the Red Planet, and its findings will undoubtedly shape our understanding of Mars and our search for extraterrestrial life.