Some of you may be interested in following the Mars Science Laboratory landing - also known as 'Curiosity' which is coming up in the next couple of days. It is going to be quite an incredible feat.
MSL Remains on Track for Weekend Landing Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:22:02 AM GMT+1000
Curiosity remains in good health, with no significant issues currently in work. There are no real-time activities planned today. The Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft remains on a consistent and stable course, well within the limits required to reach its target landing ellipse. As a result, yesterday the flight team decided to cancel the build and test of a contingency version of Trajectory Correction Maneuver 5. This contingency manuever, had it been needed, would have been used in the event an emergency prevented the team from executing the nominal scheduled TCM-5 maneuver, which is planned for Friday, Aug. 3, if needed. The project also canceled a corresponding update to parameters for the autonomous software controlling events during entry, descent and landing.
The following are a few videos to watch about Curiosity.
Here is ScienceatNASA video titled - ScienceCasts: Curiosity, The Stunt Double
Here is JPLNews video titled - Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror
Here is a ScienceatNASA video titled - ScienceCasts: Mars Landing Sky Show
Now I am hoping this is going to work on the day it is Ustream set up to 'Curiosity Cam' a live stream of the landing. Watch Live Monday 6 August 2012 - 3:31pm AEST Australia
#1118371 - 06/08/201215:35Re: 'Curiosity' the Mars Rover landing is on Monday 6 August 2012 - 3:31pm AEST Australia
[Re: Xavo]
Trav Dog
Meteorological Motor Mouth
Registered: 25/03/2007
Posts: 19077
Loc: Alligator Creek - 22km South O...
How did They pull that off!
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Any forecasts made by myself are NOT official, and should not be used as such. Always refer to www.bom.gov.au Tropical Cyclones Chased - Tessie, Ului, Anthony, Yasi, Lua December 2012 - 50mm January - 293.5mm Feb - 70mm Mar - 183mm Apr - 75.5 May - 10mm
#1118385 - 06/08/201216:07Re: 'Curiosity' the Mars Rover landing is on Monday 6 August 2012 - 3:31pm AEST Australia
[Re: Things]
Chris #3
Weatherzone Addict
Registered: 08/02/2009
Posts: 1175
Loc: Semaphore SA
Amazing work by NASA!
Incredible that it all went so smoothly, with all the little things that had to go perfectly.
Looking forward to the pictures, the two minute video of the landing and all the science to come.
I wonder how long Curiosity can survive for? I think its mission is 2 years, but with how long Spirit and Opportunity lasted maybe it could go for longer.
It's got 4.8kg of plutonium-238.
edit:
The power source could last 10-15 years. The other components are only tested for 2 or 3 times lifetimes though...so 4-6 years realistically.
#1118388 - 06/08/201216:15Re: 'Curiosity' the Mars Rover landing is on Monday 6 August 2012 - 3:31pm AEST Australia
[Re: Chris #3]
Things
Meteorological Motor Mouth
Registered: 29/11/2009
Posts: 5047
Loc: Redlynch FNQ
Quite amazing the energy density of the stuff.
Really amazed it worked so well, considering all the minor details that had to go into it for it to work correctly. Mess up any 1 of those things and it woulda just been another crater on the surface.
#1118405 - 06/08/201216:56Re: 'Curiosity' the Mars Rover landing is on Monday 6 August 2012 - 3:31pm AEST Australia
[Re: Things]
Trav Dog
Meteorological Motor Mouth
Registered: 25/03/2007
Posts: 19077
Loc: Alligator Creek - 22km South O...
Slowed from 21,000kmhr too land on 6 wheels in a few minutes is amazing.
_________________________
Any forecasts made by myself are NOT official, and should not be used as such. Always refer to www.bom.gov.au Tropical Cyclones Chased - Tessie, Ului, Anthony, Yasi, Lua December 2012 - 50mm January - 293.5mm Feb - 70mm Mar - 183mm Apr - 75.5 May - 10mm
How cool was that Just think Curiosity has been travelling for 8 months, where on occasions it received glancing blows from CME's released from the Sun and arrives on Mars with out a hitch. It will spend the next two years exploring it's Martian environment.
If I was at JPL I would not want to go to sleep I'd want the little buggy out roaming collecting data straight away LOL
Here it is again for those that missed it
Here is the first image
I actually almost missed it due to the joys of an impromptu meeting at work.
Have a good night folks... off to do a bit of work.
Will write a solar update soon (promise) just been a little busy the Sun has been behaving itself sort of
SDx
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________________________________________ Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain
Nobody does it betterdo they,i nthin k that Curiosity will last for years given that it is not solar powered. We do truly live in interesting times. WELL DONE NASA AND AL WHO WERE INVOLVED AROUND THE WORLD. ................GDL
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