Mars Curiosity Rover - Mission Progress

Message boards : Science (non-SETI) : Mars Curiosity Rover - Mission Progress

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Lynn Volunteer moderator Send message Joined: 20 Nov 00 Posts: 2322 Credit: 307,125 RAC: 405	Message 1252528 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 6:24:27 UTC - in response to Message 1252526.
	Curiosity Rover on Track for Early August Landing 06.26.12 Artist's concept of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover This artist's concept features NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, a mobile robot for investigating Mars' past or present ability to sustain microbial life. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Mission Status Report PASADENA, Calif. -- A maneuver on Tuesday adjusted the flight path of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft for delivering the rover Curiosity to a landing target beside a Martian mountain. The car-size, one-ton rover is bound for arrival the evening of Aug. 5, 2012, PDT (early Aug. 6, EDT and Universal Time). The landing will mark the beginning of a two-year prime mission to investigate whether one of the most intriguing places on Mars ever offered an environment favorable for microbial life.
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Nick Send message Joined: 11 Oct 11 Posts: 3706 Credit: 1,824,335 RAC: 705	Message 1252669 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 15:26:58 UTC
	That was really impressive, Lynn; I trust there will be a live link to NASA so we can listen in on the landing. ____________ The Kite Fliers -------------------- Kite fliers: An imaginary club of solo members, those who don't yet belong to a formal team so "fly their own kites" - as the saying goes.
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Ex Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 12 Mar 12 Posts: 2892 Credit: 1,512,380 RAC: 1,301	Message 1252713 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 17:10:13 UTC Last modified: 28 Jun 2012, 17:10:36 UTC
	When this thing lands, I sure hope someone will be kind enough to link to all the goodies, like live streaming video feeds, news, etc. IIRC the last good mars mission I watched unfold was in the late 90's (I forget what that rovers name was, but those were the nicest HD images of the red world I think we've ever seen. I remember N-Geo magazine doing a nice series on it.) ____________ -Dave #2 3.2.0-33
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Nick Send message Joined: 11 Oct 11 Posts: 3706 Credit: 1,824,335 RAC: 705	Message 1252733 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 17:25:15 UTC - in response to Message 1252713.
	When this thing lands, I sure hope someone will be kind enough to link to all the goodies, like live streaming video feeds, news, etc. IIRC the last good mars mission I watched unfold was in the late 90's (I forget what that rovers name was, but those were the nicest HD images of the red world I think we've ever seen. I remember N-Geo magazine doing a nice series on it.) Lets hope we do get a link, Ex'. ____________ The Kite Fliers -------------------- Kite fliers: An imaginary club of solo members, those who don't yet belong to a formal team so "fly their own kites" - as the saying goes.
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 28954 Credit: 7,840,875 RAC: 17,286	Message 1252777 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 18:12:10 UTC
	Good report Lynn, many thanks :-) ____________ Damsel Rescuer, Kitty Patron, Uli Fan, Julie Supporter, CAMRA ES99 Admirer, Raccoon Friend, IFAW, PETA, 5% Badge
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Gary Charpentier Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 25 Dec 00 Posts: 11732 Credit: 5,969,877 RAC: 0	Message 1252860 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 21:06:13 UTC
	For those who want a real experience on landing day http://www.planetary.org/get-involved/events/planetfest-2012/ this should fit the bill nicely. ____________
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Lynn Volunteer moderator Send message Joined: 20 Nov 00 Posts: 2322 Credit: 307,125 RAC: 405	Message 1252949 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 23:03:11 UTC - in response to Message 1252860.
	For those who want a real experience on landing day http://www.planetary.org/get-involved/events/planetfest-2012/ this should fit the bill nicely. Nick and Chris, your both welcome :-) Gary, posted the above link. Thanks! It said Curiosity, will land around August 4 and 5, 6, 2012. Let's hope we do get live feed.
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Ex Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 12 Mar 12 Posts: 2892 Credit: 1,512,380 RAC: 1,301	Message 1252981 - Posted: 28 Jun 2012, 23:55:07 UTC Last modified: 28 Jun 2012, 23:55:59 UTC
	http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/ Is the link to NASA's page for the Mars science laboratory. And I bet the "Nasa TV" link in Chris's first post will come in handy in August. ____________ -Dave #2 3.2.0-33
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Sirius B Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 26 Dec 00 Posts: 8818 Credit: 1,333,616 RAC: 234	Message 1257185 - Posted: 7 Jul 2012, 20:03:39 UTC
	spectacular photos of Mars Until the Curiosity rover landing next month, thought these would make do for now.... ____________
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Johnney Guinness Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 11 Sep 06 Posts: 2950 Credit: 2,306,418 RAC: 0	Message 1257267 - Posted: 7 Jul 2012, 23:54:36 UTC
	I have to voice my thoughts here. I am very nervous about that sky crane they are using to land Curiosity on the surface of Mars. Its very risky! Its a very complex method of putting that thing on the surface. I will keep my fingers crossed that it makes it down safely! Good luck Curiosity! John. ____________
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Bob DeWoody Send message Joined: 9 May 10 Posts: 949 Credit: 207,422 RAC: 885	Message 1258022 - Posted: 9 Jul 2012, 12:57:36 UTC Last modified: 9 Jul 2012, 12:57:57 UTC
	I seem to remember seeing that the method used with Spirit and Opportunity wouldn't work for Curiosity due to it's increased size and mass. Plus they want to make a pinpoint landing. Other than the possibility of the new system having difficulties another potential hazzard would be one of those infamous Martian dust storms. But I would assume they have planned the landing for a time of the year when dust storms are a minimal risk. ____________ Bob DeWoody
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Ex Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 12 Mar 12 Posts: 2892 Credit: 1,512,380 RAC: 1,301	Message 1258091 - Posted: 9 Jul 2012, 17:11:26 UTC Last modified: 9 Jul 2012, 17:12:08 UTC
	Bob is correct that Curiosity's weight is too much for the airbag crash-landing method. But I, like Johnny am worried about it all going just right. The "sky crane" is basically a rocket powered parachute of sorts, I see a lot that could go wrong. However we have some experience with successes and failures when it comes to dropping craft on other planets, and I think they will pull this off just fine. I'm really looking forward to it. Only about one month left now. ____________ -Dave #2 3.2.0-33
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tullio Send message Joined: 9 Apr 04 Posts: 3380 Credit: 338,023 RAC: 210	Message 1258124 - Posted: 9 Jul 2012, 18:09:46 UTC
	Once a lander failed because of different units systems used by the builders and NASA. I hope this time they have used the same system. Tullio ____________
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Bob DeWoody Send message Joined: 9 May 10 Posts: 949 Credit: 207,422 RAC: 885	Message 1258128 - Posted: 9 Jul 2012, 18:20:27 UTC
	Well if we can't land a container of sophisticated machinery and electronics softly I think it will be so much longer before we attempt to send humans to the red planet. At least Curiosity is on a one way trip no matter how hard or soft the landing is. On the other hand a spacecraft with humans on board has to land totally intact and be able to launch again with only minimal repairs being able to be conducted. So far I do not recall any rocket making a re-entry into an atmosphere and then launch again without major servicing, except the lunar modules from the Apollo missions. However the moon is less massive and has virtually no atmosphere. ____________ Bob DeWoody
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Johnney Guinness Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 11 Sep 06 Posts: 2950 Credit: 2,306,418 RAC: 0	Message 1261344 - Posted: 17 Jul 2012, 1:04:46 UTC
	Curiosity Rover update! NASA held a media press conference with just 20 days to go for the landing of Curiosity on Mars. Its on Youtube, NASA Rover on Course for Mars Landing(By NASA television) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9BRqeqJ2X0 (1 hour 5 minutes) John. ____________
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 28954 Credit: 7,840,875 RAC: 17,286	Message 1261490 - Posted: 17 Jul 2012, 10:49:54 UTC
	WE may have a last minute hitch ..... Oooops
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Bob DeWoody Send message Joined: 9 May 10 Posts: 949 Credit: 207,422 RAC: 885	Message 1261495 - Posted: 17 Jul 2012, 11:15:13 UTC
	Well , it isn't like they could send a last minute command to fix a problem at that point. We may just have to wait a few minutes longer to find out whether the landing was a success. ____________ Bob DeWoody
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Johnney Guinness Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 11 Sep 06 Posts: 2950 Credit: 2,306,418 RAC: 0	Message 1261551 - Posted: 17 Jul 2012, 15:07:09 UTC
	Its going to be very tense, the landing is just so technical. Fingers crossed here! If it makes it to the surface ok, there is just a tonne of valuable instruments on that thing that could tell us so much about Mars! John.
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Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 28954 Credit: 7,840,875 RAC: 17,286	Message 1261567 - Posted: 17 Jul 2012, 15:38:31 UTC
	Agreed John, all fingers crossed ....
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tullio Send message Joined: 9 Apr 04 Posts: 3380 Credit: 338,023 RAC: 210	Message 1261716 - Posted: 18 Jul 2012, 7:35:43 UTC
	I am following Curiosity on the JPL site. They don't seem to worry much and they give more space to a new amplifier they just built. Tullio ____________
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Message boards : Science (non-SETI) : Mars Curiosity Rover - Mission Progress