10 replies to this topic

[DeathStalker13]

Check out this great video about the NASA Mars Curiosity Rover. The complicated landing strategy, 'jump jets'/thrusters, radar, and science labs are elegantly explained.

[Evinthal]

3/3 rovers successful (out of the last three...) on Mars. NASA is doing a darn good job with these, and the lead engineer on "Curiosity" has a pretty funny story behind him.

Personally I think it is way past time humanity got off our collective butts and did more to actually get ourselves out amongst the other planets, and I don't just mean rovers like this.

Edited by Evinthal, 08 August 2012 - 07:09 AM.

[Evil Hamster]

Evinthal, on 07 August 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

Personally I think it is way past time humanity got off our collective butts and did more to actually get ourselves out amongst the other planets, and I don't just mean rovers like this.

In order for that to happen, the government would have to stop giving away billions of dollars to union bosses, banks, insurance company CEOs, phony "solar company" start-ups created by millionaire campaign contributors, phony "shovel ready" projects, etc.We'd have MORE than enough money if that ever happened.

[Fezzwig]

Without politicizing this momentous accomplishment I just feel very lucky to have been alive to witness it happening. I made a point of staying up and watching it stream live just so I can tell my grandkids I watched that. The required sequences to go off without a hitch was remarkable. I'm just glad this time everyone used the same method of measurement

[Evinthal]

Evil Hamster, on 07 August 2012 - 11:33 AM, said:

In order for that to happen, the government would have to stop giving away billions of dollars to union bosses, banks, insurance company CEOs, phony "solar company" start-ups created by millionaire campaign contributors, phony "shovel ready" projects, etc.We'd have MORE than enough money if that ever happened.

And humanity would have to stop behaving like children and fighting over everything. It is a hell of a dream, but if it could happen it would be awesome.

[Grayson Ward]

Yes, that was a crazy landing routine but it worked :)

Evinthal, on 07 August 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

3/3 rovers successful on Mars. NASA is doing a darn good job with these, and the lead engineer on "Curiosity" has a pretty funny story behind him.

Sorry to burst bubbles, but no. Out of the 40 spacecraft dispatched to the Red Planet, only 14 lived to fulfill their missions, and there were some rovers among them also.

[Telecleez]

Grayson Ward, on 08 August 2012 - 01:09 AM, said:

Yes, that was a crazy landing routine but it worked



Sorry to burst bubbles, but no. Out of the 40 spacecraft dispatched to the Red Planet, only 14 lived to fulfill their missions, and there were some rovers among them also.

yeah i think the one before this one buried itself about 10ft below the surface of Mars cuz some guy forgot to change from meters to feet so it's a remarkable event that they land one safely

[Evinthal]

Grayson Ward, on 08 August 2012 - 01:09 AM, said:

Yes, that was a crazy landing routine but it worked



Sorry to burst bubbles, but no. Out of the 40 spacecraft dispatched to the Red Planet, only 14 lived to fulfill their missions, and there were some rovers among them also.

I meant the last 3 we have sent have been. Ha, I guess I should go fix that Actually it has been more like five, the last mission the the US (NASA) had fail was back in 1999 with a series of three. (Mars Climate Orbiter 1998-1999, Mars Polar Lander & Deep Space 2 in 1999)

Telecleez, on 08 August 2012 - 01:21 AM, said:

yeah i think the one before this one buried itself about 10ft below the surface of Mars cuz some guy forgot to change from meters to feet so it's a remarkable event that they land one safely

Nah, that was the Mars Climate Orbiter back in 1999. The ones before "Curiosity" were "Dawn", "Phoenix", Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, "Opportunity", "Spirit" and Mars Odyssey.

Edited by Evinthal, 08 August 2012 - 07:26 AM.

[Telecleez]

Evinthal, on 08 August 2012 - 07:07 AM, said:

I meant the last 3 we have sent have been. Ha, I guess I should go fix that Actually it has been more like five, the last mission the the US (NASA) had fail was back in 1999 with a series of three. (Mars Climate Orbiter 1998-1999, Mars Polar Lander & Deep Space 2 in 1999)


Nah, that was the Mars Climate Orbiter back in 1999. The ones before "Curiosity" were "Dawn", "Phoenix", Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, "Opportunity", "Spirit" and Mars Odyssey.

ahhh ok so i guess i've missed a couple lol thnx for the updated info

[Freeride Forever]

Telecleez, on 08 August 2012 - 01:21 AM, said:

yeah i think the one before this one buried itself about 10ft below the surface of Mars cuz some guy forgot to change from meters to feet so it's a remarkable event that they land one safely

Yeah the Climate Observer was a good argument for speeding the removal of the Imperial system. It's also a good example of why all spoken languages should be abolished except for one. The only reason another language is necessary is for communicating in code for some kind of strategic (usually military) purpose. Multiple, unnecessary, methods of doing the same thing inhibit progress. So does religion.

[JFlash49]

this is awesome! !!