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NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) is being prepared to analyse the Moon’s subsurface for resource extraction, with its technology expected to aid future Artemis missions. The experiment, which will assess lunar soil and identify potential resources, has been developed to support sustained human exploration. The instruments onboard will work together to drill, collect, and examine samples, providing data crucial for understanding the lunar environment. The mission is expected to deliver insights that could contribute to establishing long-term lunar habitation.

Instruments to Extract and Analyse Lunar Samples

According to the study, PRIME-1 consists of two primary instruments designed for simultaneous operation. The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrains (TRIDENT) has been engineered to drill into the Moon’s surface and collect samples, while the Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSOLO) will analyse the gases released from these samples. Insights gained from this experiment could influence strategies for lunar resource utilisation, facilitating the production of essential supplies for deep-space missions.

Jackie Quinn, PRIME-1 project manager at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, stated in a report that the ability to drill and analyse samples simultaneously will provide critical information for future lunar missions. The technology is expected to assist in developing efficient methods for extracting and utilising resources available on the Moon’s surface and subsurface.

Scheduled Launch and Mission Objectives

Reports indicate that PRIME-1 is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, set to launch no earlier than February 26. The mission will be transported aboard Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander, which is expected to explore the Mons Mouton plateau near the Moon’s South Pole. This location has been selected due to its potential for resource-rich deposits.

Technology Developed for Lunar Drilling and Analysis

TRIDENT, developed by Honeybee Robotics, a subsidiary of Blue Origin, has been designed as a rotary percussive drill capable of penetrating up to one metre below the lunar surface. The drill will extract 10-centimetre-long samples, allowing scientists to examine the distribution of frozen gases at varying depths. Equipped with carbide cutting teeth, the drill is built to handle the challenging lunar terrain. Unlike the Apollo-era drills, TRIDENT will be remotely operated from Earth, offering valuable data on regolith composition and temperature variations.

MSOLO, developed by INFICON and adapted for spaceflight at Kennedy Space Centre, will analyse the gases released from the drilled samples. This mass spectrometer is expected to identify the presence of water ice and other volatile compounds, contributing to a better understanding of lunar resource availability.

NASA’s CLPS Initiative and Future Exploration

Under the CLPS model, NASA is investing in commercial partnerships to enable lunar deliveries, with the goal of supporting long-term exploration. NASA, as a primary customer, is one of several organisations utilising these missions for scientific and technological advancements. The PRIME-1 mission has been funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate Game Changing Development program and is expected to provide foundational data for future lunar operations.

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Iron Age Artifacts in Poland Contain Rare Meteoric Iron, Study Finds

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February 19, 2025

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Iron Age Artifacts in Poland Contain Rare Meteoric Iron, Study Finds

Recent analysis of Iron Age artifacts from Poland has revealed the presence of meteoric iron in several ornaments, according to reports. The discovery was made at two archaeological sites, Częstochowa-Raków and Częstochowa-Mirów, both linked to the Lusatian Culture and dated between 750 and 600 BCE. A total of 26 iron artefacts, including bracelets, ankle rings, knives, spearheads, and necklaces, were examined, with four of them confirmed to contain meteoric iron.

Findings from the Study

According to the study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, multiple analytical techniques were used to examine the artifacts, including portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray microtomography. These methods helped in determining the elemental composition and internal structure of the iron objects.

Dr. Albert Jambon, the lead researcher, told Phys.org that the aim of the study was to trace the origins of iron smelting. The presence of meteoric iron in the analyzed objects suggests that the material was sourced locally rather than imported from distant regions such as the Alps or the Balkans. The study further indicates that the artifacts were crafted from an ataxite meteorite, a rare iron meteorite with high nickel content.

Possible Meteorite Source and Cultural Context

Reports suggest that the meteoric iron used in these artifacts was likely obtained from a witnessed meteorite fall rather than an incidental discovery. Large iron meteorites are difficult to process without advanced tools, making smaller fragments more practical for use. Dr. Jambon explained to Phys.org that historical records from 19th-century France highlight similar challenges in working with large meteorite pieces.

Despite its extraterrestrial origin, meteoric iron does not appear to have been regarded as a prestigious material during the Iron Age. The artifacts were found in graves of men, women, and children, without any apparent social or economic distinction. None of the burial sites contained luxury items such as gold, silver, or imported goods, reinforcing the notion that iron was relatively common at the time.

Oldest Known Patterned Iron?

Further analysis revealed that the meteoric iron had been mixed with terrestrial slag iron, producing a distinctive banding pattern on the metal. Due to the high nickel content, meteoric iron would appear white when smelted, contrasting with the black hue of terrestrial iron. This suggests that the intentional mixing of different iron sources may have been an early attempt to create decorative or patterned metalwork. If confirmed, this would make the artifacts among the earliest known examples of patterned iron, predating the development of Damascus steel by centuries.

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Seismic study challenges our understanding of Earth’s inner core, suggesting more movement

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February 19, 2025

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Seismic study challenges our understanding of Earth's inner core, suggesting more movement

New research suggests that Earth’s inner core may not be as solid as previously believed. Scientists studying seismic waveforms have discovered structural changes in the core, which challenge long-held assumptions about its composition. This discovery emerged while researchers were examining the inner core’s slowing rotation. The seismic data, gathered from multiple earthquakes over three decades, indicated unexpected wave behaviors. Experts believe these findings could provide new insights into Earth’s thermal and magnetic fields, as well as subtle variations in the planet’s rotation.

Seismic Data Reveals Core’s Malleability

According to the study published in Nature Geoscience on February 10, researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) analysed seismic data from 121 earthquakes that occurred between 1991 and 2024. These earthquakes were recorded across 42 locations near the South Sandwich Islands. While initially focused on the core’s rotational slowdown, the team observed anomalies in the waveforms, prompting further investigation. The research led them to conclude that the inner core might exhibit more movement and structural variation than previously understood.

Expert Insights on Core Behavior

John Vidale, Dean’s Professor of Earth Sciences at USC Dornsife College, told in an official release that an unusual seismic dataset stood out while analysing decades of records. He noted that the data revealed physical activity in the inner core, suggesting it is not entirely solid. Enhanced resolution techniques helped confirm these observations. Researchers believe the structural changes could be linked to the core’s slowing motion, which might even slightly affect the length of a day.

Implications for Earth’s Magnetic and Thermal Fields

Experts suggest that these findings could improve the understanding of Earth’s internal processes, particularly its magnetic and thermal fields. The discovery may refine existing models of the planet’s structure and behavior. While more research is needed, the study offers a fresh perspective on the inner workings of Earth’s core.

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Seismic study challenges our understanding of Earth's inner core, suggesting more movement

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Seismic study challenges our understanding of Earth's inner core, suggesting more movement

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NASA’s Perseverance Rover Investigates Serpentine Lake on Mars

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19 hours ago

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February 19, 2025

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NASA’s Perseverance Rover Investigates Serpentine Lake on Mars

A rock formation on Mars with a unique pale green hue and dark speckles has been closely examined by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The rock, named Serpentine Lake, was imaged using the SHERLOC WATSON camera, a tool designed for analysing surface textures and detecting organic materials. The rover has been navigating the crater rim, where scientists are focused on studying ancient rock formations that could provide insight into Mars’ geological past and the presence of water. Efforts are being made to determine whether these formations contain minerals that may have formed in water-rich environments, which could suggest past habitability.

Scientific Findings and Rock Composition

According to reports, the Perseverance rover’s analysis of Serpentine Lake has revealed a high concentration of serpentine minerals, which typically form in the presence of water. The rock’s texture has been compared to a cookies-and-cream-like pattern, indicating a complex geological history. This follows the discovery of another rock, Silver Mountain, which was found to be rich in pyroxene, a mineral often associated with igneous processes. Scientists have expressed keen interest in these formations, as they may be some of the oldest rocks ever examined on Mars.

Challenges in Rock Sampling

As per reports, attempts to extract a core sample from another site, Cat Arm Reservoir, were unsuccessful. The rock was found to be too weak, crumbling into fine particles instead of remaining intact within the sample tube. This is not the first time such a challenge has occurred during the mission, and adjustments have been made to Perseverance’s approach in response. Despite these difficulties, scientists remain focused on collecting viable samples for further study.

Next Steps in Exploration

Reports indicate that Perseverance will now attempt to extract a core from Serpentine Lake, aiming to secure a solid sample for further analysis. If successful, additional scans may be conducted to deepen the understanding of its mineral composition. The rover is expected to move toward Broom Point after this phase, where a layered rock sequence could provide further clues about Mars’ past environmental conditions.

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