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NASA sends probe on mission to map out Mars’ interior (Second Lead)
Washington, May 5 (IANS) NASA has moved a step closer to learning about the interior of Mars with the successful lift-off here on Saturday of a new probe.
The new InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) probe was launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base for a six-month journey to the Red Planet, located at an average distance of 225 million km from Earth, Efe news reported.
“Humanity’s next mission to Mars has left the pad! NASAInSight heads into space for an approximately six-month journey to Mars where it will take the planet’s vital signs and help us understand how rocky planets formed,” NASA tweeted soon after the launch at 7.05 a.m. (4.35 p.m. India time).
If the probe can slow down sufficiently and make a successful touchdown in late November, its mission will be able to map Mars’ depths and allow scientists to broaden their understanding of how it and other rocky planets, like Earth, were formed more than 4 billion years ago.
The lander has two main observational tools: a suite of seismometres that will feel for tremors (so-called “Mars quakes”) and provide information that scientists can use to determine how the planet’s core, mantle and crust is layered. A heat-transfer probe that will burrow five metres beneath Mars’ surface to measure the heat flowing out of the planet’s interior.
It marks the first time a space mission has the lone objective of analyzing the interior of Mars, the second-smallest planet in the Solar System after Mercury.
Previous missions to Mars have captured images of its surface, studying rocks, digging into its soil and looking for evidence of the liquid water that once flowed there.
“Ninety-nine-point-nine per cent of this planet has never been observed before,” Bruce Banerdt, InSight’s main investigator, told reporters prior to the launch. “And we’re going to go and observe it with our seismometer and with our heat flow probe for the very first time.”
The launch was originally to have taken place in March 2016, but a delay occurred due to a leak in the suite of seismometers’ vacuum container.
The mission, which will last nearly two years, is being largely financed and coordinated by the US, although several European countries — primarily Germany and France, but also Spain and other nations — also have made key contributions.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.