Erebus/victoria Entry & Exploration, Would it be worth it? |
Erebus/victoria Entry & Exploration, Would it be worth it? |
![]()
Post
#1
|
|
![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 510 Joined: 17-March 05 From: Southeast Michigan Member No.: 209 ![]() |
Last year, MER team decided to let Oppy go into Endurance because the value of the potential science gain outweighed the risks to the rover at that time. I remember Steve Squyres saying something like...if Oppy can't get back out, it would be like getting locked in a candy store.
I wonder if the same would be true when we get to Erebus and Victoria. If these craters show something significantly different than we've already seen, and there's a feasible entry/exit route, would they still risk sending Oppy in? If it were me, given the 18 month extended mission and the rover showing its age more and more, any target in Erebus or Victora would need to be very juicy. Then again, there's no guarantee that Oppy will live for the entire extension. Hmmm...depending on what we find when we get there, it could be a hard decision for the team to make! -------------------- --O'Dave
|
|
|
![]() |
![]()
Post
#2
|
|
Newbie ![]() Group: Members Posts: 12 Joined: 28-April 05 Member No.: 367 ![]() |
This is very dangerous situation. You can see that rover (probably) tried to turn in place automaticly as it faced difficulties. All but the broken wheel has been alinged turn-in-place, this must be uncommanded as i cant think of any reason trying such manouver. Good thing is, that the pit between the front and rear tires seem to be trampled somewhat, so middle/rear wheels give probably good traction if there is harder soil underneath this powder cover.
Being unable to turn one of the tires disables completely the ability to turn in place when the soil is soft. Seems like there will be even more looser soil further down we go, so i'm fearing that it will lead to "mobility kill" eventually. I think they will probably suspend all automated drives from now on. The rover is positioned on the top of dune and alongside of the ridge, so we are very close being bellyed on the sand. Front wheels have to overcome almost all of the rover weight when climbing (and currently, when descending), due to the design of the rocker-bogie system. With rear wheels this would not be the case as they are linked with middle wheels. ![]() |
|
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 21st June 2024 - 02:51 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. |
![]() |