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Forum Index : Other Stuff : Seven minutes of terror.
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
In a couple of days the Curiosity rover will land on Mars, hopefully. If NASA can pull this off, its got to go down as one of the most technically amazing things us humans have done to date. For seven minutes, from outer atmosphere to landing, this rover has to do so much, using a massive variety of technologies, that its hard to believe its possible. And all under computer control, we wont find out about the landing until 14 minutes later! Its engineering at its best. Good luck. http://youtu.be/Ki_Af_o9Q9s Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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mac46 Guru  Joined: 07/02/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 412 |
I am looking forward to a (safe and soft) landing. Its going to be interesting. Mac46 (big NASA fan) I'm just a farmer |
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vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
Can't wait to "see" Curiosity at work. The movie presentation is awesome! Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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| Warpspeed Guru Joined: 09/08/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4406 |
I just hope it doesn't run off a Microsoft Windows operating system..... Cheers, Tony. |
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| Gizmo Admin Group Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
Well done NASA. The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| Warpspeed Guru Joined: 09/08/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4406 |
Yup. Well done, and really amazing when you start to think about what was actually involved to achieve this. Cheers, Tony. |
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| mac46 Guru Joined: 07/02/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 412 |
Well done Nasa !!! Kick the tires and start the fires baby, let the science mission begin. Hooh Haa !!! Mac46 I'm just a farmer |
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| Georgen Guru Joined: 13/09/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 462 |
Nuclear energy will only last so long. Interesting if they also have some kind of Solar Power for the times after nuclear energy runs out? George |
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| vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
I missed it but I played the simulation on my computer. Is a nice program, you can see the preview or in real time. Now is night there. Of course, I don't expect to see the blinking lights  but is fun, even in 3D simulation mode.
[quote]Interesting if they also have some kind of Solar Power for the times after nuclear energy runs out? [/quote] I wonder if the (docking) station from the last mission is still operational, as it had some solar panels... probably now is out of reach for public... BTW, where the crane flew? If they threw it, I may go to pick it up... it may be good for the Google Space contest. Anyone knows where E.T. parked the flying bicycle as I don't think I have any chance to stowaway? Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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| Warpspeed Guru Joined: 09/08/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4406 |
The Plutonium used in the thermoelectric power generator has a half life of 26,000 years. It isn't going to run out of power ever.... Voyagers One and Two used the same system, and both are still going strong at full power after 35 years continuous operation. Cheers, Tony. |
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| Gizmo Admin Group Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
The plutonium powered cells provide power and more importantly, lots of heat. They do loose power over time. The one's on Voyager 1 and 2 have about 10 years left in them before they no longer supply enough heat to keep the craft alive in cold space. The ones used on Curiosity have a minimum life of 14 years, where by the electrical output is down from the 125 watts to 100 watts. The life of these batteries depends on the grade of the fuel, and the deterioration of the thermocouples as they are bombarded with radiation. The big advantage of this type of power source is the heat they generate. The rover uses this heat to keep it warm at night, meaning it can work all day and all night. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiosity_rover http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_gen erator Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| Warpspeed Guru Joined: 09/08/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4406 |
Ah ! Plutonium 238 and Plutonium 239 very different stuff. Cheers, Tony. |
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| Gizmo Admin Group Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
Yeah you right, it amazing how many different grades of the radioactive elements they have managed to come up with, all with very different properties. Starting to get some more pictures now, I like the one of the parachute decent taken by the Reconnaissance orbiter. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120806b.html The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
Hehe, found "my" crane: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/PIA16001.ht ml Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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