This site has some good explanations of sand movement.

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/resources/curricul...em/lesson31.htm

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/resources/saltation.htm

My reasoning is as the wind blows over the hill the wind below the hill slows down deposting the heavier sand grains, and the lighter weight ones land further from the hill.

"Except for the return element, Hayabusa has been a stunning success, and I hope we don't see the mission downplayed a la Nozomi. "

I disagree, so far its robot missed the asteroid, they did not know it had touched down, they don't know if they have any samples, and its out of control and pretty much disabled, it will be a miricle if it ever makes it back to earth, which I doubt, it'll proberbly die in the cold of space.

Thats IMHO.

My and my family's names are on there, and the cat too ( Squeakie Cat ).

Untill quite recently my American wife ( who is a teacher ) did not realise Stars were Suns.

1. Being With You - Smokey Robinson.
2. Bohemien Rhapsody - Queen.
3. Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue.
4. A Hard Days Night - The Beatles.
5. House of The Rising Sun - The Animals.
6. Tainted Love - Soft Cell.
7. Like A Virgin - Madonna.
8. It Ain't What You Do, It's the Way You Do It - Bananarama.

Book - War and Peace.

Luxury Item - Single Malt Scotch, where is Robbie the Robot when you need him

From the Nov 21 2005 MEPAG Chair's Report...




"The next MEPAG Meeting is tentatively planned for April 2005 and will take place in the Pasdena, CA, area. Specific dates are being explored."

Maybe they have a secret time machine ?

Via the #maestro channel.

Thank you, I eventually realised the views were to the North of Haskin Ridge. Any idea which Sol Spirit will start heading towards Home Plate, presumably for the duration of the Mars Winter ?

I have lost sight of "home plate" on the latest panarama's, is it still visible and where is it ?
Thanks.

whats the url of the webcast ?

I would not have thought the speed of the processor determins the forward speed, its how the software works. No 1 priority is not to damage, or get the rover stuck, wether its in sand or lying on its side, or upside down etc. There is absolutely no point in going fast if its the last drive you ever do.

Never fear, we will make a mark when we land humans there.

Wow !, its like Spirit just landed and started a new mission. The view is breathtaking.

Well spotted, I just looked at that and did not notice the rim, then again most of my attention is given to my work atm...

Oppy should be able to traverse more quickly over this rocky ground. Is Victoria peeking up from the horizon ?

That graphic has an error on it, pic #6 shows the Lunar Lander and the Ascent modules docking around the Moon with the CEV. I wonder if it will ever happen though ?

Me thinks the person who wrote this is not all that clued up on Space Exploration :

http://www.boston.com/news/science/gallery/mars_rover?pg=5

"The Mars rover Opportunity was photographed crossing the planet."

Darn good camera that isn't it ?

MRO looks menacing with its fully deployed HGA and solar panels.

I was wondering when that cover was going on. Anyone know what it is made of and what exactly it is supposed to protect the HGA from ?

Me neither, what are we supposed to see that's different ?

One of the Solar Panels has been attatched today.

Its fasinating to watch a spacecraft get put together live, I don't think I have ever done that before. I hope they don't foget to wire lock the nuts etc for the HGA attatchment........not that they would ever do anything like that . Hope they are all working with one measurement unit this time.....

Oppy is out of the sand !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/opportuni...TIP1214L0M1.JPG

Look at al the DD's on this frame, looks like a mini dust storm.

http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/spirit/na...FQP1560L0M1.JPG

http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/spirit/pa...B2P2417L5M1.JPG


Looks like some Martians left some Patio slabs laying around......