06/29/10 — Science instruments on the Curiosity Rover, including the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument, will examine the site’s modern environment for clues to the planet’s past. NASA’s Curiosity rover, coming together for a late 2011 launch to Mars, has a newly installed component: a key onboard X-ray instrument for helping the mission achieve its goals. Researchers will use Curiosity in an intriguing area of Mars to search for modern or ancient habitable environments, including any that may have also been favorable for preserving clues about life and environment. The team assembling and testing Curiosity at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.,…

05/31/10 — Developer of vertical take off, vertical landing vehicles partners producer of liquid oxygen/methane powered propulsion systems for future NASA unmanned landers. XCOR Aerospace and Masten Space Systems, two of the leaders in the New Space sector, have announced a strategic business and technology relationship to pursue jointly the anticipated NASA sponsored unmanned lander projects. These automated lander programs are expected to serve as robotic test beds on Earth, on the lunar surface, Mars, near Earth objects and other interplanetary locales, helping NASA push the boundaries of technology and opening the solar system for future human exploration. Masten’s award winning automated…