[meteorite-list] Scientists Shortlist Three Landing Sites for Mars 2020

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=6744

Scientists Shortlist Three Landing Sites for Mars 2020
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
February 11, 2017

Participants in a landing site workshop for NASA's upcoming Mars 2020 
mission have recommended three locations on the Red Planet for further 
evaluation. The three potential landing sites for NASA's next Mars rover 
include Northeast Syrtis (a very ancient portion of Mars' surface), Jezero 
crater, (once home to an ancient Martian lake), and Columbia Hills (potentially 
home to an ancient hot spring, explored by NASA's Spirit rover).

More information on the landing sites can be found at:

http://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/timeline/prelaunch/landing-site-selection/

Mars 2020 is targeted for launch in July 2020 aboard an Atlas V 541 rocket 
from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. 
The rover will conduct geological assessments of its landing site on Mars, 
determine the habitability of the environment, search for signs of ancient 
Martian life, and assess natural resources and hazards for future human 
explorers. It will also prepare a collection of samples for possible return 
to Earth by a future mission.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will build and manage operations of the 
Mars 2020 rover for the NASA Science Mission Directorate at the agency's 
headquarters in Washington.

For more information about NASA's Mars programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/mars

News Media Contact
DC Agle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
818-393-9011
agle at jpl.nasa.gov

2017-034