Why Not Send Another Mer Pair? |
Why Not Send Another Mer Pair? |
Jan 20 2005, 07:28 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 154 Joined: 8-June 04 Member No.: 80 |
I realize MSL has more neat features and will last longer, but the design on MER has been proven to work since Spirit has lasted over a year and Opportunity is close behind. MER is cheaper than MSL because it will use solar power and won't take as much testing since it is using proven technologies. What I'm wondering is why not re-use a design that works?
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Jan 23 2005, 04:20 PM
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 76 Joined: 26-May 04 Member No.: 77 |
QUOTE (lyford @ Jan 21 2005, 11:38 PM) QUOTE (BruceMoomaw @ Jan 21 2005, 06:34 PM) Let me assure you that there was a good deal of serious discussion of this subject at NASA's Mars Strategic Roadmap meeting two weeks ago .... hmmm - now that is interesting.... Yes, it is! It is very interesting. I'll bet that the centerpiece to the argument for sending more MERs is the fact that each one built will cost less than the previous. Think about it: A good chuck of the $800million that went into MER were research, development and testing. Well, all of that is done. All that's needed is to crank up a factory floor, plop those babies on some Delta-II rockets and light the candle. Yes, still expensive - but not as expensive as the Spirit/Oppy pair. I stand by my guns. Launch two on every Earth->Mars launch window. The way Spirit and Oppy are going like the energizer bunny, this could lead to continual rover presence on the red planet! |
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