ROVER WHEELS: Monitoring changes over time, NOTE: Read back through the thread to avoid repeating misconceptions |
ROVER WHEELS: Monitoring changes over time, NOTE: Read back through the thread to avoid repeating misconceptions |
May 16 2013, 08:35 AM
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 22 Joined: 10-August 12 From: Australia Member No.: 6530 |
[MOD NOTE: This thread follows on a post by Ed Truthan containing a MAHLI mosaic of MSL wheels taken on sol 275.]
Ed: zooming in on that marvellous underbelly MAHLI montage, there appears to be further (and previously noted) deformation of the wheel surfaces. Damage is most evident in the view of the front-left wheel inner surface. Such wear has previously been discussed and concerns allayed. Nevertheless, the front left wheel surface *appears* to have been punctured. We've only done 700 meters, and have 7000 more to get to Mt Sharp..... Given that more odometry has now accumulated, is any (re-)new(ed) concern valid? DeanM |
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Dec 27 2013, 08:50 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 754 Joined: 9-February 07 Member No.: 1700 |
Assuming there are energy expense issues related to driving (with dented wheels) vs. science objectives over the projected lifetime of the power source, do alternate smoother terrain routes already compromise some of the science? Is the base of Mt. Sharp such a prize target for examination that we need to "head for the highway"?
edit: I really want to see the view from the peak! |
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Dec 27 2013, 10:35 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 495 Joined: 12-February 12 Member No.: 6336 |
Assuming there are energy expense issues related to driving with dented wheels. I don't think there's no energy issues whatsoever for the situation right now, but if a sharp stone get jammed in one of the cracks the situation might be quite different, though the electric motors are rather of a slow speed but got a lot of torque. There might also be some concern about the risk that a bit of metal come loose and manage to get jammed in the driving axle or that inside rim of the wheel. (The parts can be clearly seen in Geralds animation 8 posts up.) Most of this concern might be for the state of the wheels in the later part (and for one extended) mission - the talk about choosing another path up the mountain concerns me. The suggested path were to maximize science results, and the ravine near the foot of the hills is the part of this mission that interested me the most, and I do have a hunch there's others who have been waiting for what might turn up there also. And not just for the view, but the mineral and geological history. But changing the route to the mountain is ok with me, the sooner we get there the better. |
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