Where will you be..., When Phoenix lands |
Where will you be..., When Phoenix lands |
May 21 2008, 06:46 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 428 Joined: 21-August 06 From: Northern Virginia Member No.: 1062 |
Okay, so there's only a few days till the landing, and I'm just curious, where will you all be? Just trying to keep a similar sounding thread to it's original purpose, that's all.
I am planning as of now to be at the LPL event at the University of Arizona. It should be interesting. I can only be there for about the hour around the landing time, but that's alright. |
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May 25 2008, 03:26 AM
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#2
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 29 Joined: 21-November 06 From: JPL Member No.: 1381 |
I'll be at JPL as I've been for the past four landings. The first two (Pathfinder/Polar Lander) I was covering for CNN (producing for John Zarrella/John Holliman/Miles O'Brien). For the last two (Spirit/Opportunity) I had the pleasure of working for JPL. So this makes 5 - wow, I can hardly believe it! For Phoenix, I may be in the press room, or perhaps in mission control (escorting the press photog-- someone has to do it, right?) but no matter where I am I'll definitely be twittering updates. I have two jars of dry-roasted peanuts ready to open at the appropriate time... I only wish I could down a beer with them (a Belgium Duvels would be lovely) but alas, no alcohol allowed at work! Don and Emily, I'll see you at the briefing tomorrow. And we'll be thinking about the rest of you on UMSF and hoping that your kind thoughts and best wishes help guide Phoenix to a soft landing. It's been a real boost the to Phoenix team to know that so many people are cheering them on!
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May 25 2008, 04:01 PM
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#3
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 89 Joined: 25-January 06 Member No.: 661 |
It's been a real boost the to Phoenix team to know that so many people are cheering them on! I have to second Veronica's comment. Even though these teams work in a "fishbowl", when you are on the inside it is surprisingly easy to think that you are all alone and to forget that there are people outside of the bowl who are cheering for you. Back in 1994 when we were designing and testing Mars Pathfinder, we were (mostly) all holed up on the 2nd floor of windowless building 230 (just a few feet above the MSA room where you will see tension and cheering this afternoon). For some reason we thought we were the only people on the planet who were interested in building a lander and a little rover to go to Mars. For me that impression was forever washed away (in a good way) in Oct of '94. That was when a few of us engineers joined some scientists (like Matt G) and teachers on a field trip to the channeled scablands of eastern Washington state (my home state). After a week of imagining our spacecraft bouncing and driving over these rough terrains, we were asked to stop by a junior high school in Spokane to talk to students and the locals one rainy friday night. We had few materials to share but neither did we expect many visitors. To our complete and utter amazement, we were overwhelmed with excited kids, parents and teachers. They heard about our visit via a small notice in the local paper. Interest had spread like wildfire. After that we were transformed. We suddenly realized that we were not alone on that crowded 2nd floor. We stopped doing this mission for ourselves and instead realized that we were doing it for a lot of people (people like you). It scared us but it made us more commited than ever to succeed. I have occasionally reminded the Phoenix team members to step outside their fishbowl and look around them (UMSF is one of my examples). As it did with me in 1994, it also scares them to see so many people watching over their shoulders, but it also helps bring an intense focus and an unselfishness to their work. It is no longer about making their "bosses" happy, it is about being entrusted to try hard and good things for our precious humanity. Its a big, proud hat to wear, but one that is not easily earned. I think this team has earned its hat, regardless of what happens today. Your enthusiasm and support for what we humbly attempt makes a huge difference for us. Thank you all. GO PHOENIX! -Rob |
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