A thread for the space geeks like me here in teamliquid.
LIVE UPDATES
14:12 KST / 07:12 CEST MARS LANDING ENTRY SEQUENCE INITIATED
07:19 CEST - power up and spindown initiated 07:23 CEST - 2 minutes from cruise separation 07:26 CEST - Curiosity connection established, but no data yet 07:28 CEST - Cruise balance masses ejected 07:28 CEST - ready to remove backshell 07:32 CEST - crane module 07:33 CEST - CONTACT!
Guys if you have links PM me so I can put it here.
In a matter of hours, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is bound to succeed on its objectives of landing the Mars rover Curiosity on the Red Planet [Target: 10:31 p.m. PDT Aug. 5 (1:31 a.m. EDT Aug. 6)].
About the MSL: Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a robotic mission to Mars launched by NASA on November 26, 2011, that will attempt to land a Mars rover called Curiosity on the surface of Mars. Currently en route to the planet, it is scheduled to land in Gale Crater at about 05:31 UTC on August 6, 2012. Curiosity rover's objectives include determining Mars' habitability, studying its climate and geology, and collecting data for human missions.
The MSL goals:
Determine whether Mars could ever have supported
Study the climate of Mars
Study the geology of Mars
Plan for a human mission to Mars
MSL specific objectives:
Determine the mineralogical composition of the Martian surface and near-surface geological materials.
Attempt to detect chemical building blocks of life (biosignatures).
Interpret the processes that have formed and modified rocks and soils.
You said if we had any links, you would put them in the OP. Since many people are debating if this mission is worth the cost, I suggest you put this link in the OP:
On August 05 2012 19:56 Probe1 wrote: More science less war. I want to watch it live so I'm going to go to sleep really early .. so I can also be awake for WCS Korea ^^
I'm very excited. Edit: I think I've played you on EU ladder VY Canis Majoris
Really? I hope you're not the one who cried after I 4gated him to oblivion. I kid! :p Yes, more science, less war!
I have a question: What is the difference between this mission's rover, Curiosity, and previous missions' rovers (for Martian Science alike) Spirit and Opportunity?
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
Ultimately I'd say the future of our entire species?
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
what else would you like your country to spend money on?
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
It maybe useless in our lifetime but when you think about it in the perspective of the entire human race, it's not. I'll suggest you do some more research before saying everything is useless.
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
It maybe useless in our lifetime but when you think about it in the perspective of the entire human race, it's not. I'll suggest you do some more research before saying everything is useless.
Thank you for your reply, unfortunately it will also be your undoing. Let me throw back at you everything that you say:
1. Assuming "you think about it in the perspective of the entire human race", what are the benefits? 2. Do those future expected benefits outweigh the benefits of putting money now where it is needed, like more jobs, healthcare, etc.?
Surely someone between us needs to do some research, and you know what, it ain't me bro. Sorry for being harsh on you.
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
Ultimately I'd say the future of our entire species?
The way he says it is simply narrow minded and idiotic tbh, but I have to agree a little :why spend millions now when technology will give us access to much better missions in a few decades. But yeah, anyway it's going to be interesting, but we dont need the information now, we're just impatient, I guess due to the fact that our lives are so short when it comes to these things.
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
It maybe useless in our lifetime but when you think about it in the perspective of the entire human race, it's not. I'll suggest you do some more research before saying everything is useless.
Thank you for your reply, unfortunately it will also be your undoing. Let me throw back at you everything that you say:
1. Assuming "you think about it in the perspective of the entire human race", what are the benefits? 2. Do those future expected benefits outweigh the benefits of putting money now where it is needed, like more jobs, healthcare, etc.?
Surely someone between us needs to do some research, and you know what, it ain't me bro. Sorry for being harsh on you.
You made it sounds like there's a battle between us so I'm just gonna let you win this one if it makes you happy.
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
It maybe useless in our lifetime but when you think about it in the perspective of the entire human race, it's not. I'll suggest you do some more research before saying everything is useless.
Thank you for your reply, unfortunately it will also be your undoing. Let me throw back at you everything that you say:
1. Assuming "you think about it in the perspective of the entire human race", what are the benefits? 2. Do those future expected benefits outweigh the benefits of putting money now where it is needed, like more jobs, healthcare, etc.?
Surely someone between us needs to do some research, and you know what, it ain't me bro. Sorry for being harsh on you.
assuming your country would, for whatever reason, know how to be more cost efficient with money that was meant to support and benefit space exploration projects (which btw is like 2-3 million dollars only) but this of course is silly. between u and me, bro, there's a shitton of money put into your "jobs" and "healthcare" needs, but the problem isnt a lack of money, the problem is that ur country doesnt know how to spend it well. had i been in ur position, science-related sectors would probably not be the first place for me to withdraw money from. take a look at ur military.
On August 05 2012 20:27 Twinkle Toes wrote: Another way to burn our money uselessly. Really what's to be had in all these space missions in this time when the economy is barely floating.
Cost of this mission: The total cost of the MSL project is about US$2.5 billion (source) Cost of a single nuclear submarine: More than US$25 billion (source)
What would your rather have, one more nuclear sub, or 10 mars missions just like this one?
And to not derail the thread: I am looking forward to see if they can land it safely. I hope OP will update with the news to make it easy for all of us. Let's hope for the best!
EPT![[image loading]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/667372main_MSL%20EDL%20rev-2900.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Xemp9.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://64.19.142.13/www.nasa.gov/images/content/673162main_malin-4-673.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://64.19.142.11/www.wired.com/wiredscience/wp-content/gallery/gale-crater/esp_025716_2200-660x495.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://64.19.142.13/www.wired.com/wiredscience/wp-content/gallery/gale-crater/esp_012551_1750-660x495.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://64.19.142.10/www.wired.com/wiredscience/wp-content/gallery/gale-crater/psp_009149_1750-660x495.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/673277main_pia15962-43_428-321.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/672877main_martin_mur-1-43_428-321.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/672818main_grotzinger-0-43_428-321.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/658688main_pia15687-43_428-321.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/605938main_pia15103-43_428-321.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/605468main_PIA15091-BurnsCliff_428-321.jpg)
I want to watch it live so I'm going to go to sleep really early .. so I can also be awake for WCS Korea ^^
