Future of Flagship Mars Mission Up In the Air , page
Pages:
ATS Members have flagged this thread 1 times
Topic started on 8-10-2008 @ 11:29 PM by GrayFox
www.space.com...



LOS ANGELES (AP) - Will NASA's flagship mission to Mars fly next year? The space agency could decide as early as Friday whether to cancel, delay or proceed with plans to launch a nuclear-powered, SUV-size rover to the red planet.


This is about the Mars Science Laboratory. Let's hope they decide to proceed or delay (hopefully proceed). It would be a complete waste to cancel the mission! The article even says so...


Some scientists outside the Mars research community said canceling the project does not make sense since so much money has already been invested.


Not to mention that $1.5 billion for ONE PROJECT of scientific value is nothing compared to how much is being spent on wars. But.... to cancel the project after this much money has already been spent on it would just be outrageous!



(quote tags to ex tags)



[edit on 9-10-2008 by Jbird]


reply posted on 9-10-2008 @ 10:25 PM by Jbird
Nice catch GreyFox. Been a while since I've checked into this mission.

Some background on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)

Mars Science Laboratory will be the first planetary mission to use precision landing techniques,...

There is no air bag landing this trip. MSL is too massive. The rover will be tenderly deposited onto Mars
via a tether reeled out from a Skycrane system, a rocket-powered contraption that hovers above the landing site.


Does size matter ?

mars.jpl.nasa.gov...

Spirit and Opportunity size on left, Sojourner size in the middle, MSL on right

MSL Home page

I would think the data and images we've gotten from the Spirit and Opportunity missions alone would warrant a little extra expense.
Of course the current economy does not bode well, for any extensions.

If not I guess some execs. kid will get a heck of a present , this year.


[edit on 9-10-2008 by Jbird]


reply posted on 10-10-2008 @ 06:22 PM by GrayFox
The mission is still on for 2009! Yes!

www.space.com...

Hopefully everything keeps going well in these planning stages. The crane landing method of the craft confuses me though. On one hand, it's something new and interesting. On the other hand, sometimes things don't work right on the first try.


reply posted on 10-10-2008 @ 07:51 PM by Jbird
Originally posted by GrayFox
... The crane landing method of the craft confuses me though. ...


Not sure if I'm reading your question correctly G'
but sounds to me like the heavier payloads will need more powerful
braking systems, especially with the thin Martian air.

So not only does this 'crane' design allow a little more slowing power, it also propels the oversized 'crane'/ 'chute away from the Rover. after release.

mars.jpl.nasa.gov...
After the parachute has significantly slowed the vehicle and the heatshield (that has protected the rover during entry) separates, the descent stage will separate from the backshell. Using four steerable engines, the descent stage will slow the nested rover down even further to eliminate the effects of any horizontal winds. When the vehicle has been slowed to nearly zero velocity, the rover will be released from the descent stage. A bridle and "umbilical cord" will lower the rover to the ground. During the lowering, the rover's front mobility system will be deployed so that it is essentially ready to rove upon landing. When the on-board computer senses that touchdown is successful, it will cut the bridle. The descent stage then pitches away from the rover and powers away at full throttle to a crash-landing far from Mars Science Laboratory.


Close up - mars.jpl.nasa.gov...



step by step illustration @ mars.jpl.nasa.gov...

Oh, and yea, Great News for us Space fans.




[edit on 10-10-2008 by Jbird]


reply posted on 15-10-2008 @ 09:47 PM by Jbird
Interesting idea. Here's the illustration from the same link to get an idea of concept.



A little more from the article

Each foot-wide, 11-pound ball can roll up to 62 miles, snap photos at any angle, and take soil samples, drawing its power from the solar panels on its shell. Unlike wheeled rovers, the rounded scouts have fewer motors to repair, never flip over, and are easier to seal from dust. Plus, they rarely get stuck.


I have to wonder, though how they will deal with hills.
Pages:     ^^TOP^^