Michael Meyer, about Phoenix and MSL |
Michael Meyer, about Phoenix and MSL |
Sep 25 2006, 10:01 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 153 Joined: 11-December 04 Member No.: 120 |
http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/Managing_...ssions_999.html
Michael Meyer, lead scientist for NASA's Mars Exploration Program, spoke at the recent Viking anniversary celebration. One remarkable quote: "Considering how long the Spirit and Opportunity rovers have lasted beyond their design lifetimes, it almost boggles the mind to think how long MSL could last. It may be there to greet the astronauts when they arrive on Mars." That's what I call optimism. I always thought that the lifespan of an RTG was pretty predictable and that in case of MSL it lasted for about 2 earth years. Maybe he's talking about the solar array powered version? |
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Dec 27 2006, 12:57 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 166 Joined: 20-September 05 From: North Texas Member No.: 503 |
Off topic...
But when we get around to sending a lander/rover into Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole, will there likely be only a battery to power it, for a short-term mission? I can't imagine sending an RTG there if there is a hope to use any possible ice resources that may exist. And a solar panel wouldn't be of much use in a perpetually shadowed crater. David |
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Dec 27 2006, 08:52 AM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2488 Joined: 17-April 05 From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK Member No.: 239 |
Off topic... But when we get around to sending a lander/rover into Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole, will there likely be only a battery to power it, for a short-term mission? I can't imagine sending an RTG there if there is a hope to use any possible ice resources that may exist. And a solar panel wouldn't be of much use in a perpetually shadowed crater. David David: An RTG would be ideal - simple, light, happy in the cold and darkness! And although you might not want to hug one on a long-term basis, pretty safe. One problem with RTGs is their rarity - fuel and hardware production is erratic, to put it mildly. Alternatives *might* include a long power cable leading to a sunlit lander, or even an internal combustion engine (the exhaust would be fun!). Still, there *have* been stranger propulsion systems suggested over the yeras, such as the mobile windmill on Venus (I kid you not)... Bob Shaw -------------------- Remember: Time Flies like the wind - but Fruit Flies like bananas!
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