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Forums › Off topic › Mars Science Laboratory and Curiosity Rover, arriving 6 August


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Topic # 106750 31-Jul-2012 10:12 Send private message

So who has been following the NASA Mars Science Laboratory mission?

The rover, Curiosity, looks amazing. It's the size of a Mini Cooper, significantly larger than any previous rover.

It is powered by an radioisotope power generator, so it is not reliant on solar power.

There's a heap of resources here and you can follow on twitter for updates, @MarsCuriosity. Wikipedia article here.

The landing system is beyond cool, using a "sky-crane" maneuver, this is a good video, about the much hyped "seven minutes of terror"



Landing is scheduled for approximately 6 days and 7 hrs away at 0531 UTC August 6 (1731 NZT), and will be broadcast live on UStream and NASA TV.

So set a reminder for Monday afternoon, and here's hoping it all goes well!

Cheers,
Joseph

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  Reply # 664400 31-Jul-2012 10:16 Send private message

I put a reminder in my calendar for it a couple of months ago. Going to watch the live streams with the kids. Too bad there won't be any cameras on the ground watching the sky crane, that would be awesome.

Having said that they are moving the orbiters so as to be overhead at the time, taking pictures of the descent.




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These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

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  Reply # 664409 31-Jul-2012 10:35

Ever since they first decided on the landing system they will be using I have been dreading that it will fail. The are so many things that can go wrong that will just end with a new impact crater on the surface. Surely there must be an easier less complicated way of landing the rover. But hey, I'm not an engineer so what do I know. 

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Ultimate Geek
  Reply # 668409 6-Aug-2012 16:03 Send private message

Everybody got their popcorn and pepsi, the ustream coverage is under way
http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/7419823/Mars-exploration-set-to-begin-for-rover





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James Sleeman

My hobby - listing small amounts of interesting/useful hobby electronic components hardware and stuff on Trademe for cheap, all good geek stuff for the "maker" revolution ;-)

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www.hinve.st
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  Reply # 668412 6-Aug-2012 16:08 Send private message

I am doing training/observing in my new job, but will be watching (via 2degrees 3G :) )

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  Reply # 668426 6-Aug-2012 16:23 Send private message

Watching the Nasa HD stream

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ustream.html

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  Reply # 668475 6-Aug-2012 17:28 Send private message

"We have a connection but we don't have any data" = Minor heart palpitations.

210000 viewers of the live-feed and climbing. Their bandwidth must be astronomical... (Sorry)




"You are" = "You're" - Not "Your".  "They are" = "They're" - Not "Their" or "There".  You probably mean "lose" not "loose".  There's no such word as "Alot".
 
On the internet, wasting time, since '89.

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  Reply # 668478 6-Aug-2012 17:32 Send private message

And they just won the superbowl. Amazing stuff.




"You are" = "You're" - Not "Your".  "They are" = "They're" - Not "Their" or "There".  You probably mean "lose" not "loose".  There's no such word as "Alot".
 
On the internet, wasting time, since '89.

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Ultimate Geek
  Reply # 668479 6-Aug-2012 17:32 Send private message

TOUCHDOWN!




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James Sleeman

My hobby - listing small amounts of interesting/useful hobby electronic components hardware and stuff on Trademe for cheap, all good geek stuff for the "maker" revolution ;-)

Tip for Trademe addicts: install an addon for your browser to get thumbs for all listings.  

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  Reply # 668481 6-Aug-2012 17:35 Send private message

Images after 2 minutes!




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James Sleeman

My hobby - listing small amounts of interesting/useful hobby electronic components hardware and stuff on Trademe for cheap, all good geek stuff for the "maker" revolution ;-)

Tip for Trademe addicts: install an addon for your browser to get thumbs for all listings.  

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  Reply # 668486 6-Aug-2012 17:41 Send private message

Well that was exciting. Needs more death-rays though.

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  Reply # 668487 6-Aug-2012 17:41 Send private message

And they have pictures.

Mars




"You are" = "You're" - Not "Your".  "They are" = "They're" - Not "Their" or "There".  You probably mean "lose" not "loose".  There's no such word as "Alot".
 
On the internet, wasting time, since '89.



www.hinve.st
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  Reply # 668499 6-Aug-2012 17:46 Send private message

Very cool indeed! Hooray for Science!

Cheers,
Joseph

gzt

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  Reply # 668500 6-Aug-2012 17:47 Send private message

Absolutely flawless. The level of relief in that room says a lot about the complexity of the mission.

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  Reply # 668502 6-Aug-2012 17:50 Send private message

Truly epic.  A triumph for Science and Engineering.

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  Reply # 668508 6-Aug-2012 18:03 Send private message

I, for one, welcome our nuclear powered, laser armed robotic overlord to the surface of Mars.




iPad + iPhone 4S + 2degrees 3G data 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

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