The Observer view on triumph on Mars and tragedy in Texas | Observer editorial

As with space travel, co-operation is crucial in solving the country ’s infrastructure problemsAs a contrast in extremes, last week ’s extraordinary developments in space and the southern United States take some beating. At the very moment Nasa’s Perseverance rover scored a technological triumph with its flawless landing on the surface of Mars, millions of Americancitizens in Texas were thrust back into a chaotic, pre-industrial dark age of no electricity, no water and, for some, no food by unprecedented freezing temperatures.Many lessons may be drawn from the confluence of these two events, positive and negative. The performance of the Perseverance mission is frankly breathtaking. Having travelled the 38.6m miles from Earth – measured by Mars’s closest approach in 2020 – over seven months, the rovertouched down without any apparent damage to its sophisticated scientific equipment and cameras.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - February 21, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Observer editorial Tags: Mars Nasa Science Climate change Texas Inequality Space US news Coronavirus Environment Ted Cruz Source Type: news