Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Rocket Propulsion in Empty Space - I

Rocket Propulsion in Empty Space - I

The driving force for the motion of any vehicle is friction, but in the case of rocket propulsion in space, the friction force is not present. The motion of a rocket changes its velocity (and hence its momentum) by ejecting burned fuel gases, thus causing it to accelerate in the direction opposite to the velocity of the ejected fuel. In this situation, the mass and velocity of the rocket constantly change along with the total mass of ejected gases. Due to conservation of momentum, the rocket's...

Rocket Propulsion In Empty Space - II

Rocket Propulsion In Empty Space - II

The motion of a rocket is governed by the conservation of momentum principle. A rocket's momentum changes by the same amount (with the opposite sign) as the ejected gases. As time goes by, the rocket's mass (which includes the mass of the remaining fuel) continuously decreases, and its velocity increases. Therefore, the principle of conservation of momentum is used to explain the dynamics of a rocket's motion. The ideal rocket equation gives the change in velocity that a rocket experiences by...

Rocket Propulsion in Gravitational Field - I

Rocket Propulsion in Gravitational Field - I

Rockets range in size from small fireworks that ordinary people use to the enormous Saturn V that once propelled massive payloads toward the Moon. The propulsion of all rockets, jet engines, deflating balloons, and even squids and octopuses are explained by the same physical principle: Newton's third law of motion. The matter is forcefully ejected from a system, producing an equal and opposite reaction on what remains.
The motion of a rocket in space changes its velocity (and hence its...

Rocket Propulsion in Gravitational Field - II

Rocket Propulsion in Gravitational Field - II

A rocket's velocity in the presence of a gravitational field is decreased by the amount of force exerted by Earth's gravitational field, which opposes the motion of the rocket. If we consider thrust, that is, the force exerted on a rocket by the exhaust gases, then a rocket's thrust is greater in outer space than in the atmosphere or on a launch pad. In fact, gases are easier to expel in a vacuum.
A rocket's acceleration depends on three major factors, consistent with the equation for the...

Acceleration due to Gravity on Other Planets

Acceleration due to Gravity on Other Planets

The gravitational acceleration of an object near the Earth's surface is called the acceleration due to gravity. It can be measured by conducting simple experiments on Earth. However, such an experiment is impossible to conduct on the surface of other planets.
Astronomical observations are thus used to measure the acceleration due to gravity on other planets. This can be determined by observing the effect of a planet's gravity on objects close to it. The crucial factor that helps in this...

Torque Free Motion

Torque Free Motion

The torque-free motion refers to the movement of a rigid body in space when no external torques are acting upon it. This type of motion can be observed in environments where there are no external forces or frictions, like in outer space. For example, a rotation of Mars in space is a torque-free motion. Mars is an axisymmetric object, meaning it has an axis of symmetry along which it rotates, designated as the z-axis. The rotating frame of reference is defined such that the center of mass of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

What we look for at <i>Science Robotics</i>.

Science robotics·2022

Same author

The grand challenges of <i>Science Robotics</i>.

Science robotics·2020

Same author

Autonomous vehicles: An imperfect path to saving millions of lives.

Science robotics·2020

Same author

Ten robotics technologies of the year.

Science robotics·2020

Same author

Combating COVID-19-The role of robotics in managing public health and infectious diseases.

Science robotics·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum

Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum

Published on: February 12, 2017

NASA's Perseverance: Robot laboratory on Mars.

Neil Jacobstein^1,2

¹Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Singularity University, Mountain View, CA, USA.

Science Robotics

|May 27, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

NASA's Perseverance rover may discover the first evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars. This mission aims to find microfossils, offering insights into potential past Martian life.

More Related Videos

Mimicking a Space Mission to Mars Using Hindlimb Unloading and Partial Weight Bearing in Rats

Mimicking a Space Mission to Mars Using Hindlimb Unloading and Partial Weight Bearing in Rats

Published on: April 4, 2019

High-Throughput, In-Field Screening of Photosynthetic Efficiency in Crop Plants Using an Autonomous Robot

High-Throughput, In-Field Screening of Photosynthetic Efficiency in Crop Plants Using an Autonomous Robot

Published on: January 9, 2026

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum

Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum

Published on: February 12, 2017

Mimicking a Space Mission to Mars Using Hindlimb Unloading and Partial Weight Bearing in Rats

Mimicking a Space Mission to Mars Using Hindlimb Unloading and Partial Weight Bearing in Rats

Published on: April 4, 2019

High-Throughput, In-Field Screening of Photosynthetic Efficiency in Crop Plants Using an Autonomous Robot

High-Throughput, In-Field Screening of Photosynthetic Efficiency in Crop Plants Using an Autonomous Robot

Published on: January 9, 2026

Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Planetary Science
Geology

Background:

The search for extraterrestrial life is a key goal in space exploration.
Mars presents a compelling target due to evidence of past liquid water.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate Jezero Crater for signs of ancient microbial life.
To determine if Mars ever hosted life through the analysis of rock samples.

Main Methods:

Utilizing the Perseverance rover's advanced scientific instruments.
Collecting and caching rock and soil samples for potential return to Earth.

Main Results:

Perseverance is equipped to identify biosignatures, including potential microfossils.
The rover's landing site in Jezero Crater was chosen for its ancient lakebed and river delta environment.

Conclusions:

Perseverance has the potential to make a groundbreaking discovery in the search for life beyond Earth.
Finding microfossils would revolutionize our understanding of life's potential in the universe.