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Collecting Samples from the Surface of Mars

It’s no secret that the Mars Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Drone have already captured the world’s attention with their groundbreaking missions on the Red Planet. But now, the next phase of this extraordinary endeavor is set to take place – the Mars Sample Return Mission. This mission aims to collect samples from the Martian surface and bring them back to Earth for further study. However, the success of this mission is currently hanging in the balance as engineers grapple with the challenge of developing a gripper arm capable of safely and securely collecting and stowing the precious samples.

Mars, often referred to as the “Red Planet,” has long captivated human imagination with its rusty-red hue and enigmatic landscapes. From the largest volcano, Olympus Mons, to the deepest canyon, Valles Marineris, Mars has proven to be a world of wonders. While early speculation once entertained the idea of alien life on Mars, exploration has revealed a desolate and barren terrain unlike any other in our solar system.

Tharsis and Valles Marineris Mars Orbiter Mission 30055660701 1 — Featured Image: True-color image of the Red Planet taken on October 10, 2014, by India’s Mars Orbiter mission from 76,000 kilometers (47,224 miles) away. (Credit: ISRO/ISSDC/Justin Cowart) (This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.)

The history of Mars exploration dates back to the landing of Viking 1 on July 20, 1976, marking the first successful spacecraft touchdown on the Martian surface. Since then, a multitude of missions have furthered our understanding of Mars, culminating in the recent arrival of the Perseverance rover and its accompanying Ingenuity aircraft.

Perseverance’s mission objective includes the collection of samples from Martian rocks and soil using its onboard drill. Through a process known as ‘sample caching,’ these samples are carefully encapsulated in tubes and deposited on the planet’s surface for future retrieval. This pioneering procedure sets the stage for the forthcoming Mars Sample Return mission, which aims to transport these samples back to Earth for in-depth analysis. With 23 titanium tubes now awaiting transport, Perseverance has paved the way for the next chapter in Martian exploration.

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Mars Perseverence rover sent back this image of its parking spot during Mars Solar Conjunction. Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

The upcoming Mars Sample Return mission, a collaborative effort between NASA and ESA, is currently focused on developing a robotic arm prototype capable of retrieving the tubes from the Martian surface. This intricate process involves a gripper with two ‘fingers’ designed to delicately grasp the sealed tubes without causing damage. Each tube contains Martian samples roughly the size of a piece of classroom chalk, making the retrieval process a meticulous task. The robotic arm’s functionality extends to collecting samples directly from Perseverance, further showcasing the precision required for this mission.

While meticulous planning is crucial for any space mission, backup strategies are always in place to address unforeseen challenges. In the case of the Sample Return mission, the backup plan involves utilizing two helicopters fashioned after the design of the Ingenuity aircraft. These helicopters would be tasked with collecting the tubes and transferring them to the lander for eventual return to Earth. With a planned landing on Mars in 2028 and samples expected back on Earth by 2033, the Mars Sample Return mission stands as a testament to humanity’s enduring curiosity and ambition.

Source: Grip on Mars

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.