After Victoria..., .. what next? |
After Victoria..., .. what next? |
May 28 2007, 02:07 PM
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#1
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The Poet Dude Group: Moderator Posts: 5551 Joined: 15-March 04 From: Kendal, Cumbria, UK Member No.: 60 |
I know we've had rather light-hearted discussions about this before, with most people agreeing that Oppy is likely to end her days inside or on the edge of Victoria Crater, simply because there's nothing else to investigate within reach, but has Steve S got it in his mind that Oppy will head off somewhere else after Victoria? This report could be read in a way that suggests that...
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May 31 2007, 04:10 AM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 258 Joined: 22-December 06 Member No.: 1503 |
I like the Craters A, B, and C idea better than straight to Ithaca plan It's crazy too; but at least it's possible as long as a Global Sandstorm does not occur anytime soon.
We have been extremely lucky up to now that a major sandstorm hasn't happened directly along Oppy's path--although there have been a couple of scares. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that danger yet on this particular topic. The only dangers discussed have been associated with terrain and mechanical breakdowns due to longevity. But the terrain is the least of Oppy's worries and threats on such a long journey. The rover would not last a few days if one of these sandstorms does occur. The known history of Mars suggests that we are long overdue for such an occurance. Let me illustrate how crazy the Ithaca idea is. It's like a mission to Mars is somehow expected to reach Pluto. It isn't going to make it. We have a minimum of 2 years of good science left at Victoria, maybe 3 to 4 years. A 5 year trip in "the land of nothing" really means expecting the rover to last another 8 years total at a minimum. Yet the most interesting parts of Ithaca are over 40km away, not just 20km to the rim!!! I really think there is a reason why no probe has been sent toward a neighboring stellar system yet...guys. Ithaca deserves a dedecated mission with its own up-to-date rover designed to do the job. One could be sent from Earth and reach Ithaca sooner than Oppy could realistically get there, even if the current rover were to somehow survive the years. Let's face the fact that Opportunity is likely to die in or near Victoria. If it survives, then we still have several years to decide where it goes next. But I'm sure whereever it goes, it will be a death march. That's assuming Oppy can actually get out of Victoria. |
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