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General => General Chat => Topic started by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on November 24, 2011, 10:04:53 pm

Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on November 24, 2011, 10:04:53 pm
NASA will be launching the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover this weekend. It will be arriving at Mars around August next year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8WTPOYqTzU
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on November 26, 2011, 11:56:43 am
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/606554main_mslrollout20111125-43_946-710.jpg)

It will be launching 4am tomorrow morning our time.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Zarkov on November 26, 2011, 04:06:52 pm
That's a proper space rocket.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on November 26, 2011, 05:50:15 pm
I wish I had enough Internet to watch the movies.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pitchey on November 27, 2011, 02:16:40 pm
Whhoooossssshhhh!!!!!!

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=122049781
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on November 27, 2011, 02:34:00 pm
Thunderbirds are go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXoMpmfJcM
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: TofuEater on November 28, 2011, 09:20:14 am
Quote from: Spacemonkey;1451692
([url]http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/606554main_mslrollout20111125-43_946-710.jpg[/url])

It will be launching 4am tomorrow morning our time.

Thunderbirds are GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: TofuEater on November 28, 2011, 09:52:48 am
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6046887/Kiwis-space-photos-stun-astronomers
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Retardobot on November 29, 2011, 08:53:42 am
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/index.cfm?id=979

An animation detailing how the Rover lands on Mars.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on November 29, 2011, 09:08:19 am
Wow thats a really complicated landing sequence! I wonder why they didn't just go for the 'crash it into the ground surrounded by giant airbags' approach, surely has more room for error.

What the hell is that laser it shoots at the rock?

Has this rover been sent to Mars to destroy all life with its laser cannon?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Xsannz on November 29, 2011, 09:28:15 am
Its a friken LAZER ...........
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pitchey on November 29, 2011, 05:07:29 pm
I was curious as to why you could hear the sounds in space!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pyromanik on November 29, 2011, 07:03:52 pm
Quote from: Pitchey;1452475
I was curious as to why you could hear the sounds in space!


(http://www.fearzone.com/content/images/large/large-1626.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on November 30, 2011, 09:18:25 pm
Quote from: BerG;1452360
Wow thats a really complicated landing sequence! I wonder why they didn't just go for the 'crash it into the ground surrounded by giant airbags' approach, surely has more room for error.


It's too big and heavy to use airbags.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/593484main_pia14839_full_Curiosity%27s_Sky_Crane_Maneuver%2C_Artist%27s_Concept.jpg/640px-593484main_pia14839_full_Curiosity%27s_Sky_Crane_Maneuver%2C_Artist%27s_Concept.jpg)


Quote from: BerG;1452360
What the hell is that laser it shoots at the rock?

Has this rover been sent to Mars to destroy all life with its laser cannon?



To shoot the Decepticons.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on July 08, 2012, 05:00:18 pm
One month to go before landing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBa9_VJYIi8&feature=youtu.be
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on July 08, 2012, 09:26:59 pm
I bet $5 that the landing goes wrong. I will laugh hardest, if the crawler bit is safe on the ground, the tether doesn't release, or catchs the crawler, and the "fly away" maneuver  catapults the crawler to its demise.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Matt on July 08, 2012, 10:25:35 pm
It's a 40% success rate at best with current simulations, so no shock if some part of it's insane complexity fails
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on July 09, 2012, 10:29:43 am
NASA has been pretty successful with all thier recent Mars missions. The last 10 years have been a success.

But understandably, landing a robot on a rock millions of kilometers away with a 7 minute delay in communcations makes for a hard job.

Russians have had the worst luck when it comes to Mars.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Mars-exploration-family-portrait.jpg/1280px-Mars-exploration-family-portrait.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on July 09, 2012, 05:32:14 pm
They should just get the germans /swiss / norwegians to do it.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Kopfjaeger on July 10, 2012, 09:40:16 am
Quote from: Spacemonkey;1452741
To shoot the Decepticons.


or Nazi's

(http://steampunkopera.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/is.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: mattnz on July 10, 2012, 12:32:19 pm
(http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1207/greeley_opportunity_5000.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on July 18, 2012, 11:56:00 am
For anyone with a Kinect, there is a free game you can download off Xbox Live, where you can land the rover by waving your arms around and looking like an idiot.


It's short and easy, but lots of fun.

http://www.slashgear.com/nasa-offers-free-mars-rover-landing-kinect-game-for-xbox-360-17238848/
http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Mars-Rover-Landing/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258480836
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on July 19, 2012, 08:31:12 pm
Like I need an xbox live with kinect to look like an idiot SHEEESH!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on July 19, 2012, 09:17:08 pm
go here rover go http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10820750
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on July 20, 2012, 09:19:51 am
Quote from: Black Heart;1494756
go here rover go [url]http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10820750[/url]


Wow, that does look unusual.


It's where the Martians keep thier secret base.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Scunner on July 20, 2012, 11:13:22 am
That's obviously where the Prothean ruins are.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on July 20, 2012, 06:10:55 pm
Mojave desert? 1/2 a mile from the lunar landing site ?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on July 31, 2012, 06:37:52 pm
Will be landing in less then a week from now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-I1CfgIyNU&feature=youtu.be
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Kopfjaeger on July 31, 2012, 07:07:41 pm
i wish the Mars orbiter was in position to watch the entry interface
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: private_hell on July 31, 2012, 07:58:25 pm
its going to be good
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 01, 2012, 06:56:20 pm
Nuclear powered, I didn;t realise that, now the martians will think we're attacking. I watched Captain Scarlett, these fools have doomed us all!

"This is the voice of the Mysterons, We know you can hear us."
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 02, 2012, 01:31:31 pm
The Rover will be landing Monday 6th August at 5:30pm our time (NZ time) according to my calculations.


Lots of info here
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Plasma on August 03, 2012, 09:08:25 am
On a semi-related topic street view at the Kennedy Space Center. :D

http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/gallery.html#!/nasa
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 03, 2012, 11:23:12 am
Nasa tv will have coverage right?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 09:22:39 am
Quote from: Bounty Hunter;1496950
Nasa tv will have coverage right?


Yes

8 Hours to go.

The NASA Mars Odyssey orbiter (launched in 2001, named after the 1968 film '2001: A Space Odyssey'), will be in position to pick up the confirmation singnel that the rover has landed, it will then transmit back to Earth.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/2001_mars_odyssey_wizja.jpg/590px-2001_mars_odyssey_wizja.jpg)

It will just be a confirmation signal at first, no images will come untill hours later.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Growler on August 06, 2012, 09:30:16 am
What no live stream? WTF!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 09:45:25 am
Quote from: Growler;1497392
What no live stream? WTF!

Live stream of what?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: private_hell on August 06, 2012, 10:23:23 am
they are probably fighting fox for hte rights to broadcast them...
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 10:45:25 am
Quote from: Growler;1497392
What no live stream? WTF!

There will be live streams of the NASA control room and stuff.

There cant be any live streams of the landing on Mars because;
1. There's a 14 minute delay.
2. The bandwidth is limited, and required for important landing stuff.
3. There's no guy standing on Mars with a video camera.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 01:01:38 pm
It's amazing to see how far things have come over the last 50 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploration_of_Mars#TimeLine

Intrestly, it was Russia who first landed a rover on Mars, this one;
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Rover_Rus_Mars3.jpg)


It was supposed to be deployed from the 1971 lander 'Mars 3'.
Mars 3 had the first successful landing on Mars, however 15 seconds after it landed it ceased transmission and the rover could never be deployed.

NASA's Viking 1 landed successfuly 5 years later.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Growler on August 06, 2012, 01:04:39 pm
Quote from: Spacemonkey;1497428
however 15 seconds after it landed it ceased transmission and the rover could never be deployed.

NASA's Viking 1 landed successfuly 5 years later.


It's a known fact it was transformers.

This is the last thing it broadcast.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4vaeMSMdsA/T3oKWQYyniI/AAAAAAAAC0s/UF2d7mU2gdk/s1600/294803805_ae455013b3.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Kopfjaeger on August 06, 2012, 01:09:28 pm
Quote from: Spacemonkey;1496786
The Rover will be landing Monday 6th August at 5:30pm our time (NZ time) according to my calculations.

did you calculate that in metric or imperial ?  ;)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 01:21:11 pm
Quote from: Kopfjaeger;1497430
did you calculate that in metric or imperial ?  ;)


This caption on wikipeida made me lol

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Mars_Climate_Orbiter_-_Mars_encounter_-_PIA02330.jpg)
Quote
Mars Climate Orbiter returned this one image of Mars in 1999 before crashing into it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploration_of_Mars#Probing_difficulties

Picture of Mars far away

next minute, crash.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: mattnz on August 06, 2012, 04:01:17 pm
Quote from: Spacemonkey;1497398
There will be live streams of the NASA control room and stuff.

There cant be any live streams of the landing on Mars because;
1. There's a 14 minute delay.
2. The bandwidth is limited, and required for important landing stuff.
3. There's no guy standing on Mars with a video camera.


But surely someone has a smartphone?

http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv

You can totally see it.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: private_hell on August 06, 2012, 04:20:01 pm
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/watch-live-curiosity/
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: mattnz on August 06, 2012, 04:45:10 pm
That's the exact thing I posted, 'cept funneling traffic to Wired.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 06, 2012, 05:18:32 pm
So far so good.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 06, 2012, 05:18:52 pm
state of jesus in the middle there taking photos on his iphone
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: private_hell on August 06, 2012, 05:24:32 pm
true but it has other videos at the bottom of it - looking at JPL etc
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on August 06, 2012, 05:24:51 pm
so many fake and gay comments in the chat lol
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 06, 2012, 05:29:23 pm
so many macs!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 05:30:22 pm
The graphics are so awesome!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 05:32:28 pm
Touchdown confirmed.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 06, 2012, 05:32:43 pm
they seem happy.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Craigor on August 06, 2012, 05:33:46 pm
so many hugs going on... now I feel like a hug..
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 06, 2012, 05:34:05 pm
the fat bald one is crying.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on August 06, 2012, 05:34:32 pm
images coming back, never seem anyone so happy over thumbnails
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 06, 2012, 05:35:23 pm
we went to mars and took photos of our landers wheels.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Craigor on August 06, 2012, 05:35:42 pm
Quote from: Speakman;1497480
images coming back, never seem anyone so happy over thumbnails

especially a thumbnail of "The wheel" haha, im sure they saw that already before it set off
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on August 06, 2012, 05:36:27 pm
mmm 64x64
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 06, 2012, 05:40:20 pm
They went through a time vortex, cameras have reverted to black and white technology
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 06, 2012, 05:46:54 pm
Got fake tan much Charlie ?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 06, 2012, 05:58:31 pm
[ATTACH=CONFIG]7446[/ATTACH]
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 06:13:17 pm
(https://p.twimg.com/Azl9hyXCEAE5_Hw.jpg)

(https://p.twimg.com/Azl7WkmCEAAYwIK.png)

These are from the Hazard Camera, which are grayscale cameras used to make sure the wheels don't get stuck on rocks and stuff.

Once the mast unfolds it can start taking hi-res colour images.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 06, 2012, 06:15:30 pm
What time for the conference?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 06, 2012, 06:36:21 pm
Quote from: Bounty Hunter;1497493
What time for the conference?


Now

http://www.ustream.tv/NASAJPL
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 06, 2012, 07:11:48 pm
The next flyover of Odyssey is in about 20 minutes, so they'll be able to download some more photos.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 07, 2012, 08:05:33 am
Photo of Curiosity's decent taken by the Mars Reconnaissance orbiter.

(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/673734main_PIA15978-43_516-387.jpg)
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120806b.html
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: .osiRiS on August 07, 2012, 06:41:59 pm
One thing that struck me was how they sent Image back over such a large distance? I guess it's bouncing off orbiting satellites but dam ain't that  200 million kms away? Gotta get me some of that strong wifi connection.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on August 07, 2012, 06:45:16 pm
have fun with the MASSIVE lag and packet loss...
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on August 07, 2012, 06:47:22 pm
also

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8bliaQAoL1qi0j6io1_500.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: .osiRiS on August 07, 2012, 08:20:40 pm
7 Mins lag is normal for 95% of NZ connections ain't it?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Kopfjaeger on August 07, 2012, 08:56:02 pm
watched during a lecture was cool seeing the telemetry transmitted by the orbiter, damm that thing came in hot
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 07, 2012, 09:49:51 pm
Im not sure I can comprehend the difficulty of what they achieved, putting a mini cooper on mars from here is just incredible, theres so much other places it could go!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 09, 2012, 08:12:44 am
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/674895main_pia16013-43_800-600.jpg)

(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/674810main_pia16010-43_800-600.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Growler on August 09, 2012, 08:54:53 am
Still no colour images???
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Growler on August 09, 2012, 08:56:19 am
Quote from: Bounty Hunter;1497711
theres so much other places it could go!

The giant crevice that is your mommas ass, I don't think nasa wants to go there....

ah ah ahahahahah

ok I will leave now
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 09, 2012, 08:59:04 am
Quote from: Growler;1497886
Still no colour images???

There are a few, but bandwidth it limited. Data can only be transmitted back when the Rover is within line of sight to Earth, or when an orbiter is in position to relay the signal.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Kopfjaeger on August 09, 2012, 09:34:57 am
once they extend the mast they will have direct comms with earth
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pyromanik on August 09, 2012, 10:10:40 pm
http://www.panoramas.dk/mars/greeley-haven.html
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 10, 2012, 08:09:52 am
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/675227main_pia16029-full_full.jpg)
360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Growler on August 10, 2012, 09:24:19 am
When will it pop its erection?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Scunner on August 10, 2012, 11:59:10 am
(http://i.imgur.com/rYdOJ.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 13, 2012, 08:36:06 am
[ATTACH=CONFIG]7460[/ATTACH]
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 13, 2012, 08:37:26 am
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/676028main_pia16052-color-43_1024-768.jpg)
Wall of Gale Crater

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120811.html
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Growler on August 13, 2012, 10:07:42 am
(http://i.imgur.com/l9m7v.gif)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 13, 2012, 10:15:21 am
The Sand People are easily startled but they'll soon be back, and in greater numbers.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Aloysius on August 13, 2012, 12:23:40 pm
Im surprised this hasn't been asked yet: Where is all this being filmed?
:P

Will they be carrying out any experiments with the rover? Or is it all just 'splorin' 'n' samplin'?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 13, 2012, 12:41:12 pm
Hmm I wonder if the dust on those solar? panels was expected to build up so quick. Looks to me like the gritty shit gets into everything, 2 years seems a long time to keep that thing running. I guess the previous lander kept going for ages though.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 13, 2012, 01:02:07 pm
Quote from: Black Heart;1498425
Hmm I wonder if the dust on those solar? panels was expected to build up so quick. Looks to me like the gritty shit gets into everything, 2 years seems a long time to keep that thing running. I guess the previous lander kept going for ages though.

Curiosity doesn't have solar panels , it's nuclear powered. An advantage of that is it can operate during winter (the previous rovers had to park up for the winter)

Quote
Curiosity is powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator.
Radioisotope power systems (RPSs) are generators that produce electricity from the natural decay of plutonium-238, which is a non-fissile isotope of plutonium. Heat given off by the natural decay of this isotope is converted into electricity, providing constant power during all seasons and through the day and night, and waste heat can be used via pipes to warm systems, freeing electrical power for the operation of the vehicle and instruments.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 13, 2012, 01:14:44 pm
Yea I added the ? cos I wasn't sure what they were, they just looked like solar panels... what are those panel looking things?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 13, 2012, 01:23:51 pm
There are no panel looking things.

(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/562600main_pia14175-43_1024-768.jpg)

Those other pictures with solar panel looking things, were from the two previous rovers, which had solar panels.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on August 13, 2012, 01:32:42 pm
I just can't stop seeing it:

(http://www.virginmedia.com/images/1robots-gal-johnny.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 13, 2012, 01:39:48 pm
Oh I thought the http://www.panoramas.dk/mars/greeley-haven.html was from the new rover, well that explains a lot about all the dust on it too.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Growler on August 13, 2012, 01:53:36 pm
Curiosity is nuclear powered aint it?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 13, 2012, 02:18:08 pm
Quote from: Black Heart;1498449
Oh I thought the [url]http://www.panoramas.dk/mars/greeley-haven.html[/url] was from the new rover, well that explains a lot about all the dust on it too.


That pic is from opportunity which has solar pannels, I gather the fact it can move around stops dust from building up too much, as its twin (spirit) got stuck and had to shut down once too much dust built up on it.

interestingly opportunity is still roaming around up there 30x longer than expected, spirit functioned 23x longer than expected.

at the press conference after curiosity landed they said that curiosity's components were tested to 3 lifetimes, but not to failure, the power source has a minimum life of 14 years.

if curiosity were to get stuck it might stay active for 20 years!

when I get to mars, first thing I'm going to do is go ride curiosity.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 13, 2012, 02:21:17 pm
Quote from: Black Heart;1498449
Oh I thought the [url]http://www.panoramas.dk/mars/greeley-haven.html[/url] was from the new rover, well that explains a lot about all the dust on it too.


It's amazing that the Opportunity rover is still going, it's been on Mars for 8 years, It's solar panels are at 50% capacity atm due to the dust on them.

They thought after 90 days, ther rovers would stop working due to dust on the panels.

The reason it's lastest so long is because from time to time, dust devils come along and wipe up all the dust, leaving the solar panels clean again.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Mars_Spirit_rover%27s_solar_panels_covered_with_Dust_-_October_2007.jpg/588px-Mars_Spirit_rover%27s_solar_panels_covered_with_Dust_-_October_2007.jpg)
Spirt Rover October 2007

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Spirit_Rover_Cleaned.jpg/640px-Spirit_Rover_Cleaned.jpg)
Spirt Rover November 2008
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on August 13, 2012, 07:46:48 pm
Funny how Curiosity actually does look like a gentleman with a monocle.



Noob scientists just need to add a small air compressor component to blast dust off the panels. Or give Curiosity a rag and go wipe them up.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 14, 2012, 11:49:14 am
Quote from: BerG;1498497
Funny how Curiosity actually does look like a gentleman with a monocle.



Noob scientists just need to add a small air compressor component to blast dust off the panels. Or give Curiosity a rag and go wipe them up.

~$3k per kg to mars.

Plus I dunno if it's worth compressing co2 using electrical energy from a solar pannel to blow dust off the same solar pannel, I think it's on the wrong side of the conservation of energy law....

or a rag? ok now I know you're taking the piss...
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 14, 2012, 12:11:44 pm
Opportunity proved they clearly don't need to do anything regarding dust on the solar panels. The rover's still operating after 8 years.

I'd imagine the death of Opportunity will come about due to one of the wheels failing, like what happend with Spirt. A failed wheel increases the chance it'll get stuck, and if it gets stuck and can't position it's solar panel towards the sun during winter, then it's doomed.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 14, 2012, 01:49:29 pm
I guess they've changed the wheels design to make it more robust aswell, especially if the new rover is going to travel further. Hmm I would like a car that could go for 8 years on a battery.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: mattnz on August 14, 2012, 07:44:54 pm
Quote from: Growler;1498451
Curiosity is nuclear powered aint it?


Erm..... this.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on August 14, 2012, 07:49:49 pm
Quote from: mattnz;1498661
Erm..... this.

yes. sort of.

actually just yes. yes it is.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on August 15, 2012, 06:14:49 pm
its a nuclear battery
Title: I'm nasa and I know it
Post by: Tiwaking! on August 17, 2012, 05:19:52 am
Kickin at my console this is what I see
Data streaming back from Curiousity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFvNhsWMU0c&feature=player_embedded
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on August 18, 2012, 10:45:03 am
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8x7saoeLE1qzpwi0o1_500.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pitchey on August 18, 2012, 05:04:53 pm
lol
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 20, 2012, 08:42:56 am
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/677443main_pia16063-43_1024-768.jpg)

Self-portrait of the rover.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Zarkov on August 20, 2012, 08:49:38 am
No big exhaust pipe?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 23, 2012, 08:10:33 am
The rovers being taken for a test drive.

(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/679402main_pia16092-43_1024-768.jpg)
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16092.html
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Codex on August 27, 2012, 09:42:22 am
No cowbell?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Zarkov on August 27, 2012, 03:23:29 pm
Go troll your own thread.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Codex on August 27, 2012, 03:25:19 pm
But i'm not trolling, Zarkov. Peace be with you.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Zarkov on August 27, 2012, 04:14:30 pm
I was kidding.

We were both trolling.

But I was here first.

Troll manners matter.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 27, 2012, 04:15:51 pm
Quote from: Zarkov;1500384
I was kidding.

We were both rolling.

Like the Rover on Mars.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Codex on August 27, 2012, 04:27:34 pm
Quote from: Zarkov;1500384
I was kidding.

We were both trolling.

But I was here first.

Troll manners matter.


I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 27, 2012, 04:37:42 pm
Quote from: Codex;1500387
I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation.

It's about a third of Earth.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pitchey on August 27, 2012, 04:43:50 pm
Every  inaccurate post mar's this thread in the worst possible way.

(Pump up the volume, dance dance!)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Xenolightning on August 28, 2012, 08:04:01 am
That pun was terrible, at least planet next time.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pitchey on August 28, 2012, 12:00:10 pm
http://www.wimp.com/curiositydescent/
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on August 28, 2012, 12:05:33 pm
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/681051main_pia16105-43_800-600.jpg)
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16105.html
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA16104
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on September 06, 2012, 07:58:54 am
So Mars is a shit place to visit then.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on September 06, 2012, 08:20:38 am
At least when we settle there we wont have to worry about deforestation.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Zarkov on September 06, 2012, 08:27:59 am
The martians sold all their forests to the Chinese.

It balanced their budget.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on September 07, 2012, 08:45:13 am
go rover go

(http://i.space.com/images/i/21373/original/mars-rover-curiosity-tracks-space.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Scunner on September 07, 2012, 12:02:50 pm
So that's the real reason why they sent the rover to Mars. They're going to draw a penis on the surface with the rovers track's.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on September 07, 2012, 01:57:27 pm
Quote from: Scunner;1501688
So that's the real reason why they sent the rover to Mars. They're going to draw a penis on the surface with the rovers track's.

Does your penis look like that?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: frankytanky on September 07, 2012, 03:27:31 pm
Quote from: Bounty Hunter;1501694
Does your penis look like that?

what, you mean yellowie green with lines and a pimple?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on September 11, 2012, 08:19:37 am
What do you do when you land a two billion dollar rover on Mars?


You take pictures of it's wheels!

(http://i.space.com/images/i/21447/original/mars-rover-curiosity-wheels-mount-sharp.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on September 11, 2012, 08:58:44 am
Oh fuck, it has holes in its tyres.

Mission failed.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Scunner on September 11, 2012, 11:18:42 am
Quote from: Bounty Hunter;1501694
Does your penis look like that?

I didn't say they were drawing it well.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on October 13, 2012, 12:42:09 pm
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/77784_451076908275994_1691219294_o.jpg)

I wonder what it cost to dump plastic on mars?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on October 13, 2012, 01:49:34 pm
Proof that life on Mars ended due to overuse of condoms.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on October 13, 2012, 09:56:26 pm
I think the real reason for calling the rover "discovery" has been revealed.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on November 04, 2012, 11:38:42 am
FUCK THIS IS COOL (Hi res image)
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA16239.jpg
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: swindle on November 04, 2012, 11:50:38 am
Awesome.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Kopfjaeger on November 04, 2012, 01:25:18 pm
cool, way cool
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Mithster18 on November 04, 2012, 01:32:07 pm
Even on Mars Myspace pics exist. But with no duckface thank god.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: timmo on November 04, 2012, 03:42:12 pm
Pretty cool pic alright- I wonder if the dents in the wheels already are cause for concern?

Also, screw being a mars alien...looks like a crap place to live haha.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on November 04, 2012, 05:52:33 pm
Dents in the wheels?

You mean the tread?

They really should make the next rover with even more of a recognisable 'face'. I reckon in draws more interest from the general public if it seems like a real living creature. Makes us care about him completing his mission.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BeNZene on November 04, 2012, 06:55:08 pm
I might be about to look really stupid, but how did it take a photo of itself?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: timmo on November 04, 2012, 07:21:59 pm
Quote from: Black Heart;1505553
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/77784_451076908275994_1691219294_o.jpg)

I wonder what it cost to dump plastic on mars?


Less than a heat shield? (Opportunity's heat shield which it went and checked out after landing)
(http://cseligman.com/text/meteors/marsmeteorites0.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on November 04, 2012, 09:58:30 pm
Quote from: BeNZene;1507637
I might be about to look really stupid, but how did it take a photo of itself?

It's actually an elaborate hoax/troll, we've been waiting for the moon lander doubters and chemtrail nut jobs to cotton on, but sometimes you have to be REALLY obvious about it.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on November 04, 2012, 10:25:40 pm
Quote from: Bounty Hunter;1507656
It's actually an elaborate hoax/troll, we've been waiting for the moon lander doubters and chemtrail nut jobs to cotton on, but sometimes you have to be REALLY obvious about it.


ffs...

http://www.getsome.co.nz/showthread.php?67133-Conspiracy-Theories-You-decide.&p=1507659&viewfull=1#post1507659
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on November 05, 2012, 05:58:52 am
Quote from: BeNZene;1507637
I might be about to look really stupid, but how did it take a photo of itself?


The same way we humans do. Put the camera on a rock, switch it to 10 second self timer, then quickly run back before it takes the photo.



It's a mosaic of 55 photos taken from its robotic arm (Mars Hand Lens Imager - MAHLI). It looks like the way they stiched the photos together, they were able to not show the robotic arm itself. However I think the shadow being cast on the front left wheel is from the robotic arm.
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/instruments/
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Mithster18 on November 06, 2012, 10:09:04 am
Quote from: BerG;1507636
Dents in the wheels?
They really should make the next rover with even more of a recognisable 'face'. I reckon in draws more interest from the general public if it seems like a real living creature. Makes us care about him completing his mission.


(http://iforce.co.nz/i/a0fvgdvp.gi1.jpg) (http://www.iforce.co.nz/View.aspx?i=a0fvgdvp.gi1.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on November 06, 2012, 02:32:30 pm
Yes, I realise there is a somewhat recognizable face, which is why I said 'even more of a recognizable face'. Like this:

(http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/667885/2/stock-photo-667885-friendly-toy-robot.jpg)

NASA spends too much time thinking about functionality and not enough thinking about looks.

I think NASA needs to employ a visual design team. They can draw and build an awesome looking robot, then the engineers have to figure out how to fit all the stuff inside it and send it to Mars.

Then perhaps the next rover could look like this:

(http://www.coolgizmotoys.com/images/2011/05/kondo-khr-2-hv.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on November 06, 2012, 02:47:34 pm
Quote from: BerG;1507842
NASA spends too much time thinking about functionality and not enough thinking about looks.

I think NASA needs to employ a visual design team. They can draw and build an awesome looking robot, then the engineers have to figure out how to fit all the stuff inside it and send it to Mars.


with only 2.5 billion to spend I think this would be a massive waste of money.

when all they needed was Bobak Ferdowsi (nasa mohawk guy)

(http://cf.badassdigest.com/_uploads/images/24342/mohawkfeat__span.jpeg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on November 06, 2012, 06:36:07 pm
Said it before and I'll say it again...

(http://www.reviewstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/short_circuit_ramake_johnny5.jpg)
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on November 21, 2012, 06:59:50 pm
Curiosity has found something HUGE. They are verifying the results before releasing any details.

http://science.time.com/2012/11/20/a-mars-announcement-for-the-history-books/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49904984/ns/technology_and_science-space/#.UKwbIuOTvEM
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: winter on November 21, 2012, 07:07:25 pm
Quote from: BerG;1509541
Curiosity has found something HUGE. They are verifying the results before releasing any details.

[url]http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49904984/ns/technology_and_science-space/#.UKwbIuOTvEM[/url]


Ohhhhhhh :O
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BeNZene on November 21, 2012, 07:48:22 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As0v-tzU-PY
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Pitchey on November 22, 2012, 01:13:42 am
Quote from: BerG;1509541
Curiosity has found something HUGE.

Your arse?


:-P
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on November 22, 2012, 08:18:28 am
Your mamma's so big, Curiosity can see her all the way from Mars.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on November 22, 2012, 09:13:59 pm
NASA downplays discovery: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/life-on-mars-maybe-not--nasa-downplays-discovery-20121122-29r51.html

Quote
NASA downplayed talk of a major discovery by its Martian rover after remarks by the mission chief raised hopes it may have unearthed evidence life once existed on the Red Planet.

"John was delighted about the quality and range of information coming in from SAM during the day a reporter happened to be sitting in John's office last week. He has been similarly delighted by results at other points during the mission so far," spokesman Guy Webster said
.

"The scientists want to gain confidence in the findings before taking them outside of the science team. As for history books, the whole mission is for the history books," Webster said.

Scientists do not expect Curiosity to find aliens or living creatures but they hope to use it to analyse soil and rocks for signs the building blocks of life are present and may have supported life in the past.

The $US2.5 billion Curiosity rover — which landed in Gale Crater on the Red Planet on August 6 — also aims to study the Martian environment to prepare for a possible human mission there in the coming years.

US President Barack Obama has vowed to send humans to the planet by 2030.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/life-on-mars-maybe-not--nasa-downplays-discovery-20121122-29r51.html#ixzz2CwAehI26
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Speakman on November 23, 2012, 01:21:29 am
I have a hunch that feels pretty solid



The found Sasquatch on Mars
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on December 14, 2012, 02:08:08 pm
Yeah it was nothing.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on December 14, 2012, 05:53:19 pm
Quote from: Spacemonkey;1511743
Yeah it was nothing.

eh this is science, nothing is just as important.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Apostrophe Spacemonkey on December 14, 2012, 08:48:00 pm
NASA will be sending another rover to Mars.

Because the current one is getting lonely.
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Mithster18 on December 15, 2012, 11:21:01 am
^So they're gonna make Curiosity-babies and then we're going to be fighting a bunch of Rover-terminators from Mars?
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: BerG on March 04, 2013, 01:28:32 pm
Curiosity running Windows Vista. Keeps booting to safe mode.

http://www.space.com/20034-mars-rover-curiosity-computer-glitch.html
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Bounty Hunter on March 04, 2013, 07:02:19 pm
Quote from: BerG;1519719
Curiosity running Windows Vista. Keeps booting to safe mode.

[url]http://www.space.com/20034-mars-rover-curiosity-computer-glitch.html[/url]


looks like they're going to try patch up to win7 without formatting....DONT DO IT NASA!
Title: Mars Rover to launch this weekend.
Post by: Black Heart on March 10, 2013, 09:31:05 am
...We have probably several days, maybe a week...

HArd science talk going on here.