Disconcerting crunching sounds as you walk up hills. Unpredictable swelling that makes it uncomfortable to move. Chronic pains that leave you laid up and reliant on ice packs and pain medications. Knee pain is, without a doubt, one of the most common and painful conditions an adult can go through. It can affect every aspect of your daily life, from picking up the kids from soccer practice to staying on a regular workout routine so you can remain healthy and active.
If you're suffering from knee pain, you're not alone - the American Academy of Family Physicians tells us that almost 25% of all adults in the U.S. suffer from some type of knee pain. In fact, diagnosed knee pain has risen almost 65% over the last couple of decades, adding up to nearly four million visits to primary care doctors annually. That's a lot of chronic knee pain that needs to be addressed.
Unfortunately, many doctors recommend prescription pain pills and invasive surgeries as knee pain treatments instead of non-invasive alternatives. But if you're looking for a way to avoid the need for a knee replacement and pain pills, there's good news to share. QC Kinetix's regenerative medicine in Sango, TN, is an all-natural, effective way to help heal prevalent issues like knee arthritis and knee pain without painful surgeries or long recovery times.
Whether you have been fighting through osteoarthritis for years or you've only recently suffered a knee injury, you're probably wondering how regenerative medicine for knee pain works. Regenerative medicine is a revolutionary field of medical science that taps into the body's innate ability to heal and renew itself.
Its main objective is to restore the function and structure of damaged or diseased tissues and organs by either boosting the body's own repair mechanisms or creating new healthy cells to replace the sick ones. For instance, in regenerative ophthalmology, doctors are using retinal progenitor cells to replace damaged retinal cells and combat some causes of blindness.
Regenerative medicine aims to provide a viable alternative to conventional treatments that often involve invasive procedures or long-term medication use. These treatments can cause significant pain and harm to the patient, leading to complications, excessive scarring, and drug dependency. In contrast, regenerative medicine seeks to treat degenerative diseases, injuries, and age-related deterioration by activating the body's natural healing processes and prioritizing the body's inherent capabilities.
Regenerative medicine for knee pain can provide a long list of benefits for men and women who deal with daily pain and discomfort. Some of the symptoms that knee pain can help reduce may include the following:
The benefits of regenerative medicine have been proven through numerous scientific studies and clinical trials. Patients who have undergone regenerative therapies like PRP and stem cell treatment have reported substantial relief from chronic pain, according to a study published in The Journal of Pain Research.
Today, regenerative medicine treatments are being pursued by prestigious institutions like Harvard and the Mayo Clinic. In fact, the National Institute of Health recognizes the field of regenerative medicine as holding great promise for treating and even curing various injuries and diseases.
Regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, maintain strict oversight of regenerative therapies to ensure they adhere to high safety and efficacy standards. Additionally, professional organizations such as the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) promote ethical practices and ongoing advancements in the field of regenerative medicine.
The benefits of regenerative therapies for issues like knee pain are both promising and exciting, and can alleviate symptoms without:
The knee joint is made up of bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Bursae, which are small sacs filled with fluid, help cushion the moving parts of the knee and prevent friction. Knee pain can occur due to various reasons like injury, aging, repeated stress, wear and tear on the joint, or inflammation of the bursa. Knee bursitis is a common condition that causes inflammation of the bursae and leads people to seek knee pain treatments.
Sports activities are a common cause of knee injury as they exert tremendous force on the knee joint. Although the knee can usually handle this stress, it can also cause painful injuries. Some athletes may need knee surgery to repair the damage, while others may delay surgery for years until arthritis develops due to the injury and becomes unbearable. The same goes for average men and women whose minor sprains eventually lead to osteoarthritis and other issues. Fortunately for both parties, regenerative medicine in Sango, TN represents a more cost-effective, non-surgical solution for knee pain.
Because of the knee joint's complexity, it is susceptible to a wide range of injuries. Some of the most common knee injuries include the following:
Degeneration and inflammation can impact the knees with chronic and debilitating pain, as seen in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Surgery may be used in severe cases, but for many, finding ways to manage the pain is the only option. However, there is hope in regenerative knee pain therapy, which can provide authentic pain relief, enhance mobility, and lead to a more active lifestyle. Contact QC Kinetix today to learn more about our revolutionary regenerative medicines for knee pain.
Severe pain in the knee may result from the patella ( the kneecap), the connecting thigh bone, or one of the shin bones being fractured. Such fractures are usually caused by abrupt, high-energy impacts like falls from high altitudes or car accidents. The usual treatment for these injuries is to physically reset the broken bone. In some cases, plasma-rich growth factors can be used to help speed up the healing process associated with fractures.
Excessive strain on the knee tendons through activities such as running, jumping, or cycling can result in the tendons becoming inflamed (tendonitis). While rest, ice, knee brace compression, and elevation are commonly used to treat tendonitis, there are other non-surgical and proactive options available for knee pain treatment in Sango, TN.
When the bones in the knee shift out of place due to a traumatic fall, twisting of the knee, or high-impact collisions, it causes an injury called dislocation. It is essential to put the dislocated knee back into place, and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Injuries to the knee can result in the tearing of the cartilage or meniscus, which serves as a cushioning pad and shock absorber. Although conventional treatment options are restricted to wearing braces or undergoing surgery, regenerative knee pain therapy can be a promising solution for this type of injury.
When the ligaments or tendons in the knee are overstretched or torn, it can result in a knee sprain or strain. This kind of injury is usually caused by sudden twists and can be quite painful. It often results in swelling and makes it difficult to walk. To help alleviate the pain, it's recommended to apply ice, elevate the knee, and rest. Another option for treatment is regenerative knee pain therapy.
Our non-surgical knee pain treatments can resolve your pain and restore your mobility, so it's worth exploring your options with us. During your Request Appointment, we will assess your current condition and needs with the utmost care and consideration. We understand the impact of pain, and we don't want to prolong your discomfort with ineffective treatments.
If we determine that surgery is the best option for you, we will advise you accordingly to avoid any delays in your recovery. However, if we believe that our regenerative knee pain therapy is a good fit for your needs, we will discuss your options with you in detail.
If you're under the impression that a total knee replacement is the only answer to your knee pain problems, think carefully about these potential downfalls first:
When people experience chronic knee pain, they often turn to knee replacement surgery as a solution. However, there are cases where the surgery can actually exacerbate the pain. Research has revealed that a substantial number of patients experience mild pain after the procedure, while others suffer from pain that is either equal to or more intense than their previous chronic knee pain. In some cases, patients have reported that their pain worsens even years after having undergone knee replacement surgery.
Reports suggest that those who are above 60 years old are at a greater risk of experiencing a heart attack after undergoing surgery. But why? The truth is that the stress and trauma that come with knee replacement surgery can be quite intense, which leads to an increased possibility of heart attacks. If you have heart disease, have had a heart attack, have a history of heart disease in your family, or are over the age of 60, it might be time to consider regenerative medicine.
After undergoing knee replacement surgery, there is a risk of wear particles causing harm to your body. These particles are small fragments of plastic, metal, or ceramic that break off from the replaced joint and can cause irritation to the surrounding tissue. In some cases, wear particles can even enter your bloodstream and lead to metal toxicity or the formation of pseudotumors at a genetic level.
Maintaining strong and healthy knees is essential for everyday activities such as walking, running, standing, or even just getting up from a seated position. Unfortunately, knee pain can significantly impact one's quality of life, making it difficult to perform simple tasks like bathing or dressing oneself.
Furthermore, it can prevent people from participating in enjoyable activities like hiking, biking, or gardening. It can even keep them from getting a good night's rest. Although knee surgery is a painful and extensive process, regenerative knee pain therapies can often provide relief without the need for surgery. These non-surgical treatments are accessible to individuals of all ages and backgrounds who are seeking relief from knee pain.
At QC Kinetix, we offer patients several regenerative medicine options to help treat and ultimately eliminate knee pain symptoms. Some of the most popular therapies our patients choose to help with knee pain like osteoarthritis include the following:
You can think of plasma therapy as preparation for the other regenerative treatments we use to treat knee pain. As part of a non-surgical regeneration plan, plasma contains incredible growth healing factors that can help decrease inflammation in your knees and across your body. Once inflammation goes down, your pain is reduced, and you become more receptive to additional forms of regenerative medicine in Sango, TN.
Research indicates that A2M has the ability to alleviate knee pain by disabling particular enzymes that have the potential to deteriorate cartilage cells. When the cells in the cartilage of the knee begin to break down, the bones that combine to form the knee joint are subjected to greater friction during movement, leading to the inflammation of tissues and irritation of nerves.
BMAC is a concentration of regenerative cells obtained from the soft, spongy tissue found in the center of bones, called your marrow. Marrow is often found in areas such as the hips or pelvic bone. These specialized cells can replicate themselves into various types of tissues and promote tissue growth, boosting the body's natural healing abilities to speed up the healing process. By allowing your treatment area to heal naturally and more rapidly, you can find relief from knee pain quickly and more effectively.
In order for the body to heal an injury, it requires blood flow to provide the necessary cells and nutrients. Unfortunately, certain areas within the body have limited blood flow, making it more challenging to heal when injured. This is particularly true when it comes to the meniscus and cartilage in your knees, which have poor blood flow. So, how can you enhance the healing potential of tissues with inadequate blood flow? One option is to utilize PRP, which involves injecting concentrated platelets that contain high volumes of growth factors and proteins. This signals and drives the body's natural healing responses. When used as part of a personalized non-surgical regeneration plan by QC Kinetix, PRP therapy is often an MVP in regenerative medicine treatments.
Many of the physicians and regenerative health providers at QC Kinetix have a background in sports medicine, where they worked with professional athletes to mend broken bones and repair torn ligaments and tendons. It can be incredibly fulfilling to help these individuals recover, but unfortunately, many people - not just athletes - are eager to return to their activities before they have fully healed from surgery. This can be problematic because surgery can often cause more harm than good, leading to a long and painful recovery period.
Regenerative medicine for knee pain takes a different approach by tapping into your body's own healing and repair abilities to address knee pain and damage. During your free consultation, we will assess your current condition and needs and recommend the best course of recovery for your unique body. We prioritize effective treatments and minimizing pain, so if surgery is the best option, we will let you know upfront. However, if our regenerative knee pain therapy is a good match for your needs, we will explain your options in detail, so you can get relief as soon as possible.
If you're sick and tired of your knees holding you back on a daily basis, it's time to reduce your pain and reclaim your mobility. Contact QC Kinetix today to take the first step toward reclaiming your life.
Sango is more than a collection of new homes and apartments.This community in the southeastern corner of Montgomery County is preparing to service a new generation of families. It all starts with retail business spaces.Enter The Village Plaza (2670 Madison St.), one of the newest strip malls to pop up.This dual development by Millan Enterprises includes two structures.The front stretch (8,400 square feet) facing Madison Street is nearing construction completion. It already has one retail tenant open for business: ...
Sango is more than a collection of new homes and apartments.
This community in the southeastern corner of Montgomery County is preparing to service a new generation of families. It all starts with retail business spaces.
Enter The Village Plaza (2670 Madison St.), one of the newest strip malls to pop up.
This dual development by Millan Enterprises includes two structures.
The front stretch (8,400 square feet) facing Madison Street is nearing construction completion. It already has one retail tenant open for business: Nailed It DIY Studio is a hands-on, instructional studio owned by Leanne Lannan.
Josh Ward, commercial property manager of Millan Enterprises, said other lease tenants along the first building will open soon:,
Kadi's Tacos and More is an authentic Mexican restaurant born out of a food truck.
Taphouse 57 is a craft beer garden, the ideal gathering place to try an assortment of brews.
The Nail Shop is a day spa-type experience.
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"The Village Plaza is an industrial, modern white brick exterior commercial structure that is really designed to stand out visually in this growing Sango community," Ward said.
"Along the front stretch which is phase one of The Village, we still have lease vacancies available for two units."
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Phase 2 is also under construction (5,600 square feet), parallel to the rear of the front building in a similar design.
While the work on phase 2 isn't as far along, it already has one confirmed tenant, Ward said. Pure Sweat Float will specialize in sauna therapy.
"There are a lot of things happening in Sango and we wanted to capitalize on it," Ward said. "A lot of our leasing prospects are people who are tired of commuting to Nashville and see an expanding opportunity to do business in Clarksville."
As the first operating tenant in The Village, Nailed It DIY Studio offers a wide range of activities and fun training in home décor.
Walk-in business and appointments are welcome, and to add to the experience, the business hosts parties for DIY projects. The business can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Another Millan Enterprises project is in the site preparation stage at one of the most highly-visible corners in Clarksville.
A car wash has been leveled at the corner of Madison Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway near the Sango Walmart Supercenter to make way for Sango Crossings, a new retail strip mall (2305 Madison St.).
The project remains in the earliest stages.
Reach Jimmy Settle at jimmysettle@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0247. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to TheLeafChronicle.com.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Real Life Church won approval Monday night to have their property rezoned to commercial so they can open a coffee shop and fitness center run by a private business.The Montgomery County Commission approved the rezoning for about 9.91 acres of land fronting Sango Road.The land was originally zoned agricultural, but the property will transition to C-2 commercial zoning. Real Life Church wanted to make the zoning cha...
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Real Life Church won approval Monday night to have their property rezoned to commercial so they can open a coffee shop and fitness center run by a private business.
The Montgomery County Commission approved the rezoning for about 9.91 acres of land fronting Sango Road.
The land was originally zoned agricultural, but the property will transition to C-2 commercial zoning. Real Life Church wanted to make the zoning change after the church developed a plan to build a coffee shop and fitness center that they will lease to a third party.
Before votes were cast, a number of commissioners discussed concerns about the zone change. Commissioner Jeremiah Walker asked who’s going to pay the taxes on the space being leased out, since the church is tax-exempt but the business will have to pay taxes.
Montgomery County Assessor of Property Erinne Hester answered Walker’s question.
“If the church contracts with a third party to run a gym or coffee shop, it can play out two ways,” Hester said. “That will depend on how the contract is structured. If the contract is structured that the lessee pays all property taxes, then we go in and measure the space, we assign the physical characteristics of that property.
“We put an assessment on it just like we would a regular business or home. And then that tax bill is going to go to the owner. So, the owner would be the church, but it is the responsibly based off contract, that the for-profit entity is the one who pays the taxes.”
One example cited was the setup with the private food vendor at the county-owned Downtown Commons.
The Regional Planning Committee received concerns regarding the rezoning.
“The extra traffic this will create, plus the change to our country community is concerning,” said Brenda Spurgeon of Sango Road in an email to the RPC. “They’ve had several outdoor events in the past, creating loud volumes of noise. Sango Road residents near this church property are mostly seniors who’ve lived here for decades.”
Commissioner David Shelton detailed the planned nature of the coffee shop.
He said the pastor of the church told him this will be a business for those located in the community – individuals such as teachers at the school and those that live in surrounding neighborhoods.
Commissioner David Harper told fellow commissioners the church can move forward with the project even if they were to strike down the zone change.
“If we were to deny the AG to C-2, the church will still go forward with the coffee shop and fitness center. They would just run it themselves. The only issue is no matter what happens tonight they are going to do a coffee shop and fitness center. It’s whether they run it themselves or they contract with someone else.”
Before it was time to vote, Commissioner Joe Smith reminded his peers that they had turned down similar cases in the past when applicants have tried to transition property from agricultural to commercial property.
“About a year ago, we voted on a very similar case for a commercial property going from AG or R1 to commercial that was right off of 41-A, less than an eighth of a mile on Durham Road. And this body voted it down based off the premises that once we voted for it to be commercial, we have no say.”
The commission can only rezone property; it can’t dictate what is done with the property, including a sale years later.
Smith also pointed out that the Regional Planning Commission and RPC staff recommended against rezoning the property.
The zoning resolution passed 14-7; the no votes were Joe Smith, Rashidah Leverett, Tangi Smith, Jeremiah Walker, Walker Woodruff, Chris Rasnic and Ryan Gallant.
Sango hunter Matt Powell couldn't understand why he went a whole weekend without spotting a deer.Checking footage from a trail camera in his woods, he quickly discovered the answer Sunday night and it was more than he'd bargained for."I had hunted all weekend and not seen any deer so I thought I'd check my cameras. And there was the bear," he said this week. "That's why I hadn't seen any deer all weekend while hunting. Our deer herd isn't used to seeing and smelling a predator that large, so they e...
Sango hunter Matt Powell couldn't understand why he went a whole weekend without spotting a deer.
Checking footage from a trail camera in his woods, he quickly discovered the answer Sunday night and it was more than he'd bargained for.
"I had hunted all weekend and not seen any deer so I thought I'd check my cameras. And there was the bear," he said this week. "That's why I hadn't seen any deer all weekend while hunting. Our deer herd isn't used to seeing and smelling a predator that large, so they essentially vacated the area."
The camera, triggered by movement, captured a series of the young black bear, close to the camera in some and then walking into the woods.
"It was pure amazement when I seen the first picture of him," Powell said.
Although true deer season hasn't kicked off yet, Powell is an archer and hoped to take advantage of a special weekend that was set aside Aug. 24 to 26 for hunting deer on private lands with archery only.
The bear, which was apparently wandering through, killed that plan but Powell did get shots of the bear — with the camera, of course.
Although there are black bear populations in Eastern Tennessee, most of the bears that wander are young bears that have been forced out of the maternal group to look for a place of their own, said wildlife information specialist for the TWRA Barry Cross. This one might be a couple of years old.
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They can travel long distances in a short time but usually return to an area with a bear population to settle dow.
The young male black bear spotted in Montgomery County may be the same one spotted by another trail came in Logan County, Ky. about two weeks ago, Cross said.
"A bear like this is on the move, he's not hanging out in one spot," Cross said. "They can cover a lot of ground in a couple of weeks."
He knows of one bear from Arkansas that walked almost all the way to the Cumberland Plateau and then turned around and went back.
Unlike with armadillos, black bears are not migrating but they are becoming more common in middle Tennessee and are likely to become more popular.
"The bears are already here, they are just expanding their range," Cross said.
In 10 to 20 years, he thinks they will be moving to more middle Tennessee counties closest to their established areas in the eastern part of the state. That could mean a family or two in Montgomery County.
They are also found in northern Kentucky.
Cross said the agency likes to know where the bears are spotted to keep an idea of where they are and maybe where they wind up. He expects the black bear from Sango to wander for a while and then settle where there is already an established bear population to find females.
"Every year we get bears moving through, more and more now than in previous years," Cross said. "The bear populations are expanding and they are going to continue to expand."
It should go without saying, but won't, that anyone who encounters a bear in the wild, even smaller ones, should not try to touch them or take "selfies" with the bear.
"The biggest thing with a bear is it's not an animal to get up close to," Cross said. "We don't want them to feel threatened — a threatened animal will defend itself."
To keep them away from homes, be sure to keep trash and food for pets or livestock where they can't get to it. Much like Goldilocks, bears love a free meal.
Cross said spottings can be reported to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency so they can keep tabs. There are no plans to intervene unless a bear becomes a danger or nuisance.
East Tennessee black bears are not as large as most. They can weigh up to 400 pounds, compared to up to 800 pounds in Canada, but most seen by people are between 150 to 250 pounds, he said.
Anyone who encounters a bear in the wild should keep as much distance as possible and then back away while still facing the bear. If the bear approaches, "make yourself as big as possible" and wave your hands and be loud, he said. Do not turn and run.
"As long a it's not bothering you, you can let it do its thing," he said.
The proliferation of trail cameras over the years has led to more spottings of wild life in Tennessee. That includes the confirmed sightings of cougars in other counties. As those sightings are made public, more people are reporting sightings, often mistaking bobcats for cougars. The bear sighting is likely to lead to more.
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It's unknown if the black bear from Sango has moved on. By now, he could be far away.
As for how many bears might be wandering Montgomery County, Cross doesn't think there are many more, if any.
He added, "Yet."
Reach Reporter Stephanie Ingersoll at singersoll@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0267 and on Twitter @StephLeaf
Story by Karen Parr-MoodyCLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Piddling: It’s a word that perfectly describes the hours people spend in antique malls such as the Shoppes of Sango, which recently opened at 3470 Highway 41-A South. There, visitors sift through secondhand items, antiques and handmade goods, seeking that one-of-a-kind find.Various finds can be discovered at the 10,000-square-foot Shoppes of Sango, from the rare, carved Victorian bed selling for $2,400 to the less rare, but still collectible, chalkware K...
Story by Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Piddling: It’s a word that perfectly describes the hours people spend in antique malls such as the Shoppes of Sango, which recently opened at 3470 Highway 41-A South. There, visitors sift through secondhand items, antiques and handmade goods, seeking that one-of-a-kind find.
Various finds can be discovered at the 10,000-square-foot Shoppes of Sango, from the rare, carved Victorian bed selling for $2,400 to the less rare, but still collectible, chalkware Kewpie doll marked at $11. It’s a place where shoppers must patiently sift through 60 booths to unveil a treasure.
Piddling through these large antique malls has become a national pastime in the last five years. While mom-and-pop antique shops have virtually become antiques themselves, antique malls have been on the upswing since the economic downturn, according to the New York Times.
The downturn is what inspired Kent Stevenson, the owner of Shoppes of Sango, to go into the secondhand and antiques business. An electrical engineer by trade, he also owns JFB Manufacturing, which occupies 12,000 square feet of the Shoppes of Sango building. The decline in that business meant that he had more room available in his building, yet he couldn’t find one tenant to occupy it.
Stevenson, who doesn’t even own an antique, said, “I thought, ‘If we can’t lease it out to someone, maybe we can subdivide it into little bitty spots for an antique mall.”
After three weeks of advertising the store’s opening, Shoppes of Sango was filled with 60 booths. Stevenson said almost as many vendors are on a waiting list to join.
Stevenson charges $135 a month for an eight-by-twelve-foot booth and $145 for an eight-by-sixteen-foot booth. Unlike many antique malls, there is no commission taken from vendors’ sales.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. It is closed Monday. The store will host an Annual Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. Call 931-801-7019 for more information or visit www.shoppesatsango.com.
Kent Stevenson, the owner of Shoppes of Sango, stands before a booth filled with Victorian antiques.
A plate covered in moriage gilding along with some portrait plates.
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.
Montgomery County, TN – The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) announces that Sherry Baker has been selected as the principal of Sango Elementary School, replacing Erin Hedrick who was named the administrator of the new CMCSS K-12 Virtual option.Baker has served as the principal of Liberty Elementary School since 2012 and was selected as a district-level CMCSS Elementary Lead Principal in 2018.She led Liberty to earn the TN Reward School distinction in 2016 and 2018.Baker began her...
Montgomery County, TN – The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) announces that Sherry Baker has been selected as the principal of Sango Elementary School, replacing Erin Hedrick who was named the administrator of the new CMCSS K-12 Virtual option.
Baker has served as the principal of Liberty Elementary School since 2012 and was selected as a district-level CMCSS Elementary Lead Principal in 2018.
She led Liberty to earn the TN Reward School distinction in 2016 and 2018.
Baker began her career in education in 1987 serving as an elementary teacher in Camden, TN, then taught a year at Franklin Road Academy in Nashville, TN. She joined CMCSS in 1993 as a teacher at East Montgomery Elementary School before being promoted to an assistant principalship in 2010.
Over her 33 years in education, Baker has served in many school- and district-level leadership roles. She completed the CMCSS Leadership I & II academies, Aspiring Administrator’s Academy, and McRel Balanced Leadership training. Among her many accomplishments, she was honored as a Distinguished Classroom Teacher in 1997 and 2000 and was East Montgomery’s Teacher of the Year in 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, and 2010.
Baker received her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Austin Peay State University (APSU) and graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Bethel College in McKenzie, TN.
Pasadena, CA – NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has been attached to the top of the rocket that will send it toward the Red Planet this summer. Encased in the nose cone that will protect it during launch, the rover and the rest of the Mars 2020 spacecraft – the aeroshell, cruise stage, and descent stage – were affixed to a United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster on Tuesday, July 7th, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Central Florida.
The process began when a 60-ton hoist on the roof of the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 lifted the nose cone, otherwise known as the payload fairing, 129 feet (39 meters) to the top of the waiting rocket.
There, engineers made the physical and electrical connections that will remain between booster and spacecraft until about 50 to 60 minutes after launch, when the two are pyrotechnically separated and Perseverance is on its way.
“I have seen my fair share of spacecraft being lifted onto rockets,” said John McNamee, project manager for the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “But this one is special because there are so many people who contributed to this moment. To each one of them I want to say, we got here together, and we’ll make it to Mars the same way.”
With the mating of spacecraft and booster complete, the final testing of the two (separately and as one unit) will be underway. Then two days before the July 30 launch, the Atlas V will leave the Vertical Integration Facility for good. Traveling by rail, it will cover the 1,800 feet (550 meters) to the launch pad in about 40 minutes.
From there, Perseverance has about seven months and 290 million miles (467 million kilometers) to go before arriving at Mars.
NASA and United Launch Alliance recently updated the mission’s launch period – the range of days the rocket can launch in order to reach Mars. It now spans from July 30th to August 15th.
The launch period opening changed from July 17th to 30th due to launch vehicle processing delays in preparation for spacecraft mate operations. Four days were also added to the previously designated August 11th end of the launch period. NASA and United Launch Alliance Flight Teams were able to provide those extra days after final weights of both the spacecraft and launch vehicle became available, allowing them to more accurately calculate the propellant available to get Perseverance on its way.
No matter what day Perseverance lifts off during its July 30th to August 15th launch period, it will land in Mars’ Jezero Crater on February 18th, 2021. Targeting landing for one specific date and time helps mission planners better understand lighting and temperature at the landing site, as well as the location of Mars-orbiting satellites tasked with recording and relaying spacecraft data during its descent and landing.
Managed by JPL, the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover’s astrobiology mission will search for signs of ancient microbial life. It will also characterize the planet’s climate and geology, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and be the first planetary mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith (broken rock and dust). Subsequent missions, currently under consideration by NASA in cooperation with the European Space Agency, would send spacecraft to Mars to collect these cached samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis.
The Mars 2020 mission is part of a larger program that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. Charged with returning astronauts to the Moon by 2024, NASA will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028 through NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration plans.
For more information about the mission, go to:
https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/
For more about NASA’s Moon to Mars plans, visit:
615-437-3265