MSL FAQ - The pool of questions |
MSL FAQ - The pool of questions |
![]()
Post
#1
|
|
Founder ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Chairman Posts: 14433 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 ![]() |
Rob Manning and I swopped emails last night - and we think it might make sense to pool all the questions people have about MSL (and specifically MSL's EDL ) into one thread - and then answer as many as make sense either via a Q'n'A in the style of the previous ones I've done with Steve and Jim - or via Rob's typing fingers.
It'll be a few weeks till we sort this out - but submit-away until then ![]() Doug |
|
|
![]() |
![]()
Post
#2
|
|
![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 3419 Joined: 9-February 04 From: Minneapolis, MN, USA Member No.: 15 ![]() |
I will also point out, in regards re-using the MER design, that while a "quiet" Mars can support a solar-powered rover for multiple Martian years, a single global dust storm could easily kill them. And such global dust storms aren't only possible, they're inevitable. We've been somewhat lucky that the MERs have been operating under optimum dust conditions, overall. Even the small dust storms that have popped up have managed to avoid directly impacting either landing site.
I'm just saying that even though the MERs have lasted a very long time, don't make the mistake of assuming you can re-fly the same (or similar) design and be assured two or three Martian years of lifetime. The baseline mission of a MER rover is 90 sols, and even with an upgrade, I don't see that changing a whole lot... -the other Doug -------------------- “The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.” -Mark Twain
|
|
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 23rd June 2024 - 03:50 AM |
RULES AND GUIDELINES Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting. IMAGE COPYRIGHT |
OPINIONS AND MODERATION Opinions expressed on UnmannedSpaceflight.com are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UnmannedSpaceflight.com or The Planetary Society. The all-volunteer UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderation team is wholly independent of The Planetary Society. The Planetary Society has no influence over decisions made by the UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderators. |
SUPPORT THE FORUM Unmannedspaceflight.com is funded by the Planetary Society. Please consider supporting our work and many other projects by donating to the Society or becoming a member. |
![]() |