Mars Science Laboratory
Hypanis Vallis, in the Lunae Palus quadrangle, is one of the sites proposed as a landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory. The aim of the Mars Science Laboratory is to search for signs of ancient life. It is hoped that a later mission could then return samples from sites identified as probably containing remains of life. To safely bring the craft down, a 12 mile wide, smooth, flat circle is needed. Geologists hope to examine places where water once ponded. They would like to examine sediment layers.
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Hypanis Vallis, as seen by HiRISE. Scale bar is 500 meters long.
Read more about this topic: Lunae Palus Quadrangle
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