IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

4 Pages V  < 1 2 3 4 >  
Reply to this topicStart new topic
The size of MSL, Yep, it really IS that big!
SteveM
post Apr 26 2009, 09:18 PM
Post #16


Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 267
Joined: 5-February 06
Member No.: 675



QUOTE (nprev @ Apr 15 2009, 12:16 AM) *
...Yeah! blink.gif Great idea, Dan!

Why DON'T they make Mars chutes in contrasting colors? There's some opportunistic science to be had (like rate of dust deposition) aside from the coolness factor. It must have something to do with cost, performance or even mass considerations, I'd guess, though the only thing I can think of is added manufacturing expense.

I imagine that (besides tradition) the cost of qualifying a relatively untested neon-green fabric for the critical entry mission may also have something to do with it.

Steve M
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
mcaplinger
post Apr 26 2009, 11:51 PM
Post #17


Senior Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2504
Joined: 13-September 05
Member No.: 497



QUOTE (SteveM @ Apr 26 2009, 01:18 PM) *
I imagine that (besides tradition) the cost of qualifying a relatively untested neon-green fabric for the critical entry mission may also have something to do with it.

Not the fabric so much (it's just normal nylon and polyester AFAIK) but the dye process. Dyeing nylon requires heat, and I suspect qualifying the process without a critical engineering reason to do so wasn't high on anyone's priority list.


--------------------
Disclaimer: This post is based on public information only. Any opinions are my own.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
alan
post Jun 11 2009, 10:25 PM
Post #18


Senior Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1887
Joined: 20-November 04
From: Iowa
Member No.: 110



Some more picture of the test of the worlds largest parachute.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/ai...ce/4320989.html

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
mars_armer
post Jun 15 2009, 05:00 PM
Post #19


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 90
Joined: 13-January 05
Member No.: 143



Video of the engineering model of the robotic arm at the end of this article:

Inside the Rover Factory

Like everything on MSL, it's big!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
vikingmars
post Jun 15 2009, 09:05 PM
Post #20


Senior Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1078
Joined: 19-February 05
From: Close to Meudon Observatory in France
Member No.: 172



huh.gif Yes : it's THAT big !!!! Pic taken today at the Paris Air Show at the CNES exhibit. Enjoy ! smile.gif
Attached Image
Attached Image
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
SteveM
post Jun 17 2009, 02:35 PM
Post #21


Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 267
Joined: 5-February 06
Member No.: 675



Does anyone have any idea what that "tin can" with the brown and black spiral markings is atop the RTGs? I haven't seen it in previous images.

Steve M
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
djellison
post Jun 17 2009, 02:39 PM
Post #22


Founder
****

Group: Chairman
Posts: 14431
Joined: 8-February 04
Member No.: 1



It's not ontop of the RTG - it's mounted on one of the trusses that stands up at the back of the rover deck. It's the UHF antenna for relay to MODY/MEX/MRO
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
MahFL
post Jun 17 2009, 05:40 PM
Post #23


Forum Contributor
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1372
Joined: 8-February 04
From: North East Florida, USA.
Member No.: 11



I noticed that too, thought it was a mistake or something.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
ilbasso
post Jun 17 2009, 06:56 PM
Post #24


Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 753
Joined: 23-October 04
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Member No.: 103



Reminds me of the Mike Myers "All Things Scottish" shop skit from Saturday Night Live: "They come in three sizes: wee, not so wee, and friggin' HUGE!"



--------------------
Jonathan Ward
Manning the LCC at http://www.apollolaunchcontrol.com
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Steve G
post Jun 19 2009, 06:28 AM
Post #25


Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 289
Joined: 29-December 05
From: Ottawa, ON
Member No.: 624



Will Curiosity carry batteries as well as the RTGs? I know that it will have a constant power supply, but will batteries be required to give it an extra boost of power for driving ops, etc?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Stu
post Jun 27 2009, 06:50 AM
Post #26


The Poet Dude
****

Group: Moderator
Posts: 5551
Joined: 15-March 04
From: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
Member No.: 60



Guess it's too late to put one of these on MSL..?

http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/panas...order-20090421/

Shame... wink.gif


--------------------
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
djellison
post Jun 27 2009, 08:14 AM
Post #27


Founder
****

Group: Chairman
Posts: 14431
Joined: 8-February 04
Member No.: 1



Well - before the descoping of Mastcam's zoom..... it DID
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
nprev
post Jul 11 2009, 03:40 AM
Post #28


Merciless Robot
****

Group: Admin
Posts: 8783
Joined: 8-December 05
From: Los Angeles
Member No.: 602



Here's the miniscule, almost infinitesimal heat shield.


--------------------
A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
mhoward
post Jul 11 2009, 03:43 AM
Post #29


Senior Member
****

Group: Moderator
Posts: 3431
Joined: 11-August 04
From: USA
Member No.: 98



Where? I don't see it. laugh.gif
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
nprev
post Jul 11 2009, 03:54 AM
Post #30


Merciless Robot
****

Group: Admin
Posts: 8783
Joined: 8-December 05
From: Los Angeles
Member No.: 602



tongue.gif

Actually, you might say that in future MRO pics if it doesn't discolor much during reentry & lands upside down.

(We already talked about parachute colors, so I'll let this one slide! rolleyes.gif )


--------------------
A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

4 Pages V  < 1 2 3 4 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic

 



RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 09:27 PM
RULES AND GUIDELINES
Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting.

IMAGE COPYRIGHT
Images posted on UnmannedSpaceflight.com may be copyrighted. Do not reproduce without permission. Read here for further information on space images and 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.