Technologies

NASA rover’s first Mars rock sample crumbled, but it’s going in for another

The Perseverance rover is eyeing a new sample, and hopefully it’s way more sturdy. NASA wants to bring the rock back to Earth one day.

This story is part of Welcome to Mars, our series exploring the red planet.

Earlier in August, NASA’s Perseverance team thought it was about to celebrate the triumphant collection of the rover’s first Martian rock sample, but all they got was an empty tube. Perseverance is now ready to try again with a different and hopefully much less crumbly rock.

The sampling operation is exciting in part because NASA intends to one day send a mission to pick up the samples from the Jezero Crater and bring them back to Earth for study.

NASA has now zeroed in on a rock nicknamed «Rochette.» The rover will rough up the rock a bit with an abrading tool to get a better look and help the team decide if this is indeed the rock they want to sample. If it’s a go, the rover will drill into the rock, collect a pencil-thick core piece and seal it into a sample tube.

Perseverance is checking out a craggy ridge named «Citadelle.» «The ridge is capped with a layer of rock that appears to resist wind erosion, a sign it’s more likely to hold up during drilling,» NASA said in a statement on Thursday. NASA tweeted out some views of the area and the potential rock target.

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After the surprising result with the first sample attempt, the team will use one of the rover’s cameras to look into the sample tube and make sure there’s rock inside before sealing it.

The first tube won’t go to waste. NASA scientists are excited the rock-less tube is full of Mars’ atmosphere instead. «By returning samples to Earth, we hope to answer a number of scientific questions, including the composition of Mars’ atmosphere,» said Perseverance project scientistKen Farley.

Perseverance is capturing images of the Mars landscape, studying the geology and weather and looking for signs of ancient microbial life. The successful capture of its first rock core will be an event worth cheering about.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im