MARS: Curiosity Rover
July 16th, 2012 at 6:26:00 PM
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NASAs Mars Curiosity Rover, a 2,000 pound (900 kilogram)
SUV-sized robotic science laboratory, is scheduled to touch down on August 6 at 1:31 a.m. EDT.
The $2.5 billion rover started its journey on November 26, 2011,
with launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Its mission is to figure out whether its landing site, Gale Crater,
was ever home to microbial life.
Curiosity has 10 science experiments on board and is equipped
with a robot arm that can drill into rocks.
Curiosity can climb over obstacles up to 25 inches (65 centimeters)
high and can travel about 660 feet (200 meters) per day.
NASA released a cool video explaining the touchdown:
Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror
SUV-sized robotic science laboratory, is scheduled to touch down on August 6 at 1:31 a.m. EDT.
The $2.5 billion rover started its journey on November 26, 2011,
with launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Its mission is to figure out whether its landing site, Gale Crater,
was ever home to microbial life.
Curiosity has 10 science experiments on board and is equipped
with a robot arm that can drill into rocks.
Curiosity can climb over obstacles up to 25 inches (65 centimeters)
high and can travel about 660 feet (200 meters) per day.
NASA released a cool video explaining the touchdown:
Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
July 16th, 2012 at 6:42:22 PM
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I'm a fan of Martian exploration. But I avoid getting excited about upcoming missions until they pass the Mars Polar Lander test...
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
July 16th, 2012 at 8:11:04 PM
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yes, i agree that a lot can go wrong,
if you watch the video, you can see the landing procedure looks dubious, to say the least.
i will be eager to hear what happens on august 6.
if you watch the video, you can see the landing procedure looks dubious, to say the least.
i will be eager to hear what happens on august 6.
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
July 17th, 2012 at 12:16:45 AM
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Quote: NareedI'm a fan of Martian exploration. But I avoid getting excited about upcoming missions until they pass the Mars Polar Lander test...
Elaborate please.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell! She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
July 17th, 2012 at 5:15:42 AM
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mars polar lander (1999) failed to re-establish communications after landing.
it was determined the most likely cause of the mishap was an improperly ceased engine firing
prior to the lander touching the surface, causing the lander to impact at a high velocity.
it was determined the most likely cause of the mishap was an improperly ceased engine firing
prior to the lander touching the surface, causing the lander to impact at a high velocity.
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
July 17th, 2012 at 6:01:43 AM
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Quote: WongBo
Its mission is to figure out whether its landing site, Gale Crater,
I tried to land on Gale Crater on my prom night, but she wouldn't give me the time of day
July 17th, 2012 at 6:20:11 AM
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Too much microbial life perhaps?Quote: JohnzimboI tried to land on Gale Crater on my prom night, but she wouldn't give me the time of day
Someday, joor goin' to see the name of Googie Gomez in lights and joor goin' to say to joorself, "Was that her?" and then joor goin' to answer to joorself, "That was her!" But you know somethin' mister? I was always her yuss nobody knows it! - Googie Gomez
July 17th, 2012 at 7:50:28 AM
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Quote: odiousgambitElaborate please.
What WongBo said.
Overall I try not to get excited about a mission until it lands or goes into orbit. Mars has claimed a lot fo probes. I think the Russians ahve never managed a successful landing on Mars, though they've had several on Venus (but then the thicker atmosphere does help).
It's mostly a velocity problem. Celestial mechanics is a complex, counter-intuitive subject, but the important thing to keep in mind is that nothing slows you down in space. So you need to expend energy in order to stop, or find some way to shed excess velocity through other means.
One such means is aerobraking, using a planet's atmosphere to slow down through friction. It sounds good, but it's loaded with dangers. In fact, that's how the Apollo Lunar missions slowed down coming back home. The problem is that the angle of entry has to be very precise. If it's too shallow you shoot back out into space and, depending on your ultimate speed, may keep going or get stuck in orbit. if it's too deep, you burn up on entry.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
July 17th, 2012 at 12:04:28 PM
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Quote: WongBoNASA released a cool video explaining the touchdown:
Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror
Well, that is certainly elaborate. Where is the Area 51 UFO technology when you really need it? Those saucers, they fly in from space, hover, accelerate at alraming rates, make near impossible turns, ya know.
Sanitized for Your Protection
July 17th, 2012 at 1:22:41 PM
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Quote: rxwineWell, that is certainly elaborate.
Very.
I hadn't realized the problems inherent in landing on Mars. I think the Vikings back in the 70s made do with parachutes and rockets only. The first rover (Spirit? I forget the actual name), famously used airbags. I've no idea what other missions did in the meantime.
And I wonder what teh engineers will come up with for manned missions. I don't think the atmosphere is thick enough for a glider. That is, you can glide in thinner air at high speeds, but when you slow down there may not be enough air to keep you aloft. Unless you sued huge wings, maybe.
Really, the Solar System is in serious need of remodeling. Mars needs more atmosphere, Venus needs a lot less atmosphere, and it's a waste to keep a whole ocean under ice in Europa in thrall to Jupiter. It's enough to just junk the place and look for better real estate in other stars. But then who's to say you'll find a better neighborhood? Froa ll we know it's all hot gas giants and icy, rocky worlds all over the place. At least our gas giants are beyond the Sun's goldilocks zone...
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
July 17th, 2012 at 2:51:35 PM
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Holy crap!Quote: WongBoNASA released a cool video explaining the touchdown:
Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror
Good luck, but, holy crap!
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, irrational, childish rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
July 27th, 2012 at 5:25:28 PM
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Yes I agree. very complicated procedure.
I think they should have just kept the package wrapped up and the dust and dirt would stay off.
Then after landing open the package with the rover.
Two things... Why is there no videos of any testing of the do
called sky crane that is going to hover around with the
curiosity lander? I can find nothing.
Parachute testing yes.
Cable drop test with rover.yes.
But nothing about the sky crane being tested.
And why is there NO talk on the radio programs at all.
What are they going to do? Wait till the day of the landing and say it
did or did not land safely and then its over.
Mean while they talk about sports sports sports all day long.
The reason this whole expedition is SO exciting is that this rover has the
camera 6 feet high. So the view will be that of a human view. Not like the view of a bug on the ground.
The other thing is this rover is nuclear powered and does not need sunlight to operate.
Now I will tell you the big interest.
There have been structures and openings photographed that look like intelligent beings constructed them,
and the rover can now explore those since it has lights and non solar power .!!!
And those entrances do exist. That is what is exciting!!!
I think they should have just kept the package wrapped up and the dust and dirt would stay off.
Then after landing open the package with the rover.
Two things... Why is there no videos of any testing of the do
called sky crane that is going to hover around with the
curiosity lander? I can find nothing.
Parachute testing yes.
Cable drop test with rover.yes.
But nothing about the sky crane being tested.
And why is there NO talk on the radio programs at all.
What are they going to do? Wait till the day of the landing and say it
did or did not land safely and then its over.
Mean while they talk about sports sports sports all day long.
The reason this whole expedition is SO exciting is that this rover has the
camera 6 feet high. So the view will be that of a human view. Not like the view of a bug on the ground.
The other thing is this rover is nuclear powered and does not need sunlight to operate.
Now I will tell you the big interest.
There have been structures and openings photographed that look like intelligent beings constructed them,
and the rover can now explore those since it has lights and non solar power .!!!
And those entrances do exist. That is what is exciting!!!
July 27th, 2012 at 5:56:41 PM
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Quote: curious1Two things... Why is there no videos of any testing of the do
called sky crane that is going to hover around with the
curiosity lander? I can find nothing.
Likely gravity. A rocket powerful enough to keep the ensemble aloft in Mars probably couldn't lift it off the ground on Earth. I think Earth's surface gravity is 3 times that of Mars.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 3rd, 2012 at 8:27:36 PM
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BTW there will be a live webcast of the landing:
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/
August 5, 10:31 PM PDT
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/
August 5, 10:31 PM PDT
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 3rd, 2012 at 8:49:02 PM
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Are you as excited as I, Nareed?
What do you thinK?
Pass or don't pass?
Black or RED...
What do you thinK?
Pass or don't pass?
Black or RED...
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
August 3rd, 2012 at 8:50:11 PM
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Didn't the bouncy ball landing work with a previous Mars landing? Why didn't they do that this time? Perhaps the rover was too heavy?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 3rd, 2012 at 8:52:03 PM
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Wikipedia
Curiosity is about twice as long and five times as heavy as the Spirit and Opportunity Mars exploration rovers,
and carries over ten times the mass of scientific instruments.
It will attempt a more accurate landing than previous rovers,
within a landing ellipse of 7 by 20 km (4.3 by 12 mi),[19] in the Aeolis Palus region of Gale Crater.
This location is near the mountain Aeolis Mons (formerly called "Mount Sharp")
is designed to explore for at least 687 Earth days (1 Martian year) over a range of 5 by 20 km (3.1 by 12 mi).
Let's face it,
Mars is the first planet humans will get to other than this one.
Let's start a pool...
Hour Day month year....
Curiosity is about twice as long and five times as heavy as the Spirit and Opportunity Mars exploration rovers,
and carries over ten times the mass of scientific instruments.
It will attempt a more accurate landing than previous rovers,
within a landing ellipse of 7 by 20 km (4.3 by 12 mi),[19] in the Aeolis Palus region of Gale Crater.
This location is near the mountain Aeolis Mons (formerly called "Mount Sharp")
is designed to explore for at least 687 Earth days (1 Martian year) over a range of 5 by 20 km (3.1 by 12 mi).
Let's face it,
Mars is the first planet humans will get to other than this one.
Let's start a pool...
Hour Day month year....
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
August 3rd, 2012 at 9:12:31 PM
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Quote: WongBoLet's face it,
Mars is the first planet humans will get to other than this one.
Arguably, it will be the second we visit other than this one. I would classify the Earth-Moon as a binary planet.
Anyway, I'll start to get excited when telemetry says Curiosity is upright and functioning.
It is carrying an impressive array of instruments...
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 5th, 2012 at 9:03:57 AM
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T minus 13 hours 25 minutes
and counting
and counting
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
August 5th, 2012 at 9:08:18 AM
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It's been a rather good year for traditional astronomy. We had a partial Solar eclipse, a transit of Venus, and now, hopefully, an HD look at Mars.
Not bad for a dead science.
Not bad for a dead science.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 5th, 2012 at 3:44:59 PM
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Also some Auroral magic in July.
Yeah, 7 minutes of failure window. The sky crane method of deposit looks interesting, though. And if all goes well, the final stage moves off as space junk on Mars. Wonderful human thinking: in 30 years we might not be able to launch anything from here with all the junk in orbit.
Yeah, 7 minutes of failure window. The sky crane method of deposit looks interesting, though. And if all goes well, the final stage moves off as space junk on Mars. Wonderful human thinking: in 30 years we might not be able to launch anything from here with all the junk in orbit.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
August 5th, 2012 at 10:41:12 PM
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Successful landing and hi-res images. 7 minutes from hell has been overcome.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
August 6th, 2012 at 2:19:55 AM
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Pretty exciting. We give out gold metals for shooting an arrow 73 meters. NASA shot an SUV 54.6 billion meters.
August 6th, 2012 at 6:05:06 AM
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Quote: 98ClubsSuccessful landing and hi-res images. 7 minutes from hell has been overcome.
NASA Mars landing of rover Curiosity complete
August 6th, 2012 at 6:07:58 AM
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Images from Mars delayed 14 minutes....yet images from the Olympics delayed for hours. So unfair!
August 6th, 2012 at 6:57:02 AM
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Yes, very well done indeed.
Here's an interesting idea: set up a prize for whoever manages to send a probe to Mars, or even to the Moon, and return samples to Earth.
It's not as crazy as it sounds. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket could do easily lob a probe to Mars, and more easily to the Moon. The problem is keeping the probe on course and under control for months. Not to mention the small detail about taking off from Mars and returning home.
Here's an interesting idea: set up a prize for whoever manages to send a probe to Mars, or even to the Moon, and return samples to Earth.
It's not as crazy as it sounds. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket could do easily lob a probe to Mars, and more easily to the Moon. The problem is keeping the probe on course and under control for months. Not to mention the small detail about taking off from Mars and returning home.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 6th, 2012 at 7:13:21 AM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
August 6th, 2012 at 7:51:17 AM
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Actually, the wasteful spending on NASA projects is helping the homeless. Have you seen some of these engineers?Quote: IbeatyouracesJust more government wasteful spending. $2.5 billion could go along way to help the homeless.
Sure all this exploration is cool but there are way too many problems in this country that need to be addressed first before spending money we don't have on something that isn't necessary at this time.
Someday, joor goin' to see the name of Googie Gomez in lights and joor goin' to say to joorself, "Was that her?" and then joor goin' to answer to joorself, "That was her!" But you know somethin' mister? I was always her yuss nobody knows it! - Googie Gomez
August 6th, 2012 at 8:30:49 AM
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Quote: IbeatyouracesJust more government wasteful spending. $2.5 billion could go along way to help the homeless.
Sure all this exploration is cool but there are way too many problems in this country that need to be addressed first before spending money we don't have on something that isn't necessary at this time.
1) The cost sin't 2.5 billion. very likely it's a great deal mroe than that. There are operating costs, like the engineers that keep track fo the probe, give it orders, check its programming and performance, etc etc. Then there are the scientists who will either direct or analyse the observations and measurements. Plus computer time and more programming to analyze data, etc etc etc.
2) What's bankrupting the US, and pretty much all other countries, is spending wealth on consumption rather than investing it in production. In simple terms, the transfer of wealth from the productive to the non-productive. Be it by regulation, welfare, "entitlements," subsidies, exemptions, etc etc etc. Money spent on space exploration has actually produced wealth directly and indirectly.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 6th, 2012 at 10:35:38 AM
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I watched some of this on NASA TV (channel 78 on most cable systems in Seattle area) last night in-between Olympic events. Good for them but I question the need other than to justify NASA's existence.
August 9th, 2012 at 7:37:39 PM
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6 minute video of Morpheus/ crash & burn
The full screen video is pretty awesome with the sound.
The full screen video is pretty awesome with the sound.
Sanitized for Your Protection
August 9th, 2012 at 9:25:05 PM
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Quote: IbeatyouracesSure all this exploration is cool but there are way too many problems in this country that need to be addressed first before spending money we don't have on something that isn't necessary at this time.
The statement has basically been true since 1958. People have argued that there are much more important social problems than space exploration. In the 1960's the NASA budget was much higher than it is today.
NASA budget from 1958-present
NASA costs the US roughly $1/week per capita. I think it is a big part of American life.
After all, it's not like we are spending the big money to return men to the moon. Projects like this are being done by bigger nations.
Chinese Lunar Exploration Program
August 10th, 2012 at 1:39:00 AM
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Quote: Nareed1) The cost sin't 2.5 billion. very likely it's a great deal mroe than that. There are operating costs, like the engineers that keep track fo the probe, give it orders, check its programming and performance, etc etc. Then there are the scientists who will either direct or analyse the observations and measurements. Plus computer time and more programming to analyze data, etc etc etc.
2) What's bankrupting the US, and pretty much all other countries, is spending wealth on consumption rather than investing it in production. In simple terms, the transfer of wealth from the productive to the non-productive. Be it by regulation, welfare, "entitlements," subsidies, exemptions, etc etc etc. Money spent on space exploration has actually produced wealth directly and indirectly.
Point 2 well taken. We aren't in the Computer age without the demands necessary to visit and return from the Moon. The logistics alone needed a 486 processor in the 60's. I tend to think my first home-computer, an MMX200 in 1998, was probably a super-computer in the 60's.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
August 10th, 2012 at 6:44:17 AM
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Quote: 98ClubsPoint 2 well taken. We aren't in the Computer age without the demands necessary to visit and return from the Moon. The logistics alone needed a 486 processor in the 60's. I tend to think my first home-computer, an MMX200 in 1998, was probably a super-computer in the 60's.
That's the least of it, and it's likely computers would have been developed in the same for anwyay.
Consider such things as communication satellites, which carry voice, data and TV signals from any part of world to any other. remember when news broadcasts and some events, like the olympics, carried the caption "VIA SATELLITE"? That was still revolutionary int he 70s, today no one even thinks about it, except when a sat malfunctions and you can't see a game or a show.
Add such things as weather sats, land recources satellites, spy sats, and lots of other kinds of things, and you get a better idea of what space travel does for the production of wealth, not to mention the quality of life here on Earth. And that's before even talking about satellites sued in scientific research. Things like space-based telescopes, sure, but also satellites that look at the Earth in every conceivable way.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
