Editorial: Dream of Mars rover Perseverance vs reality of the Texas winter storm
22 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Perseverance is lowered towards the surface of Mars during its powered descent. Photos / Nasa via AP
Perseverance is lowered towards the surface of Mars during its powered descent. Photos / Nasa via AP
NZ Herald
EDITORIAL:
Space s new rover looked for all the world like a toy tie-in to a sci-fi TV series as it was pictured being lowered on to the surface of Mars. Cables from a sky crane ran above it and below was a glimpse of dark, pale-streaked terrain.
With a squat body bristling with gadgets and six fat wheels, the sturdy Perseverance rover could have been a miniature vehicle plenty of kids would want to push around on their bedroom carpets.
The Texas catastrophe lays bare the real state of class relations in the richest country in the world and makes clear why essential infrastructure can no longer be entrusted to the capitalist oligarchs.