The size of MSL, Yep, it really IS that big! |
The size of MSL, Yep, it really IS that big! |
Apr 26 2009, 09:18 PM
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#16
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Member Group: Members Posts: 267 Joined: 5-February 06 Member No.: 675 |
...Yeah! 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 |
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Apr 26 2009, 11:51 PM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2511 Joined: 13-September 05 Member No.: 497 |
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.
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Jun 11 2009, 10:25 PM
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#18
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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 |
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Jun 15 2009, 05:00 PM
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#19
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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! |
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Jun 15 2009, 09:05 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1083 Joined: 19-February 05 From: Close to Meudon Observatory in France Member No.: 172 |
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Jun 17 2009, 02:35 PM
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#21
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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 |
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Jun 17 2009, 02:39 PM
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#22
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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
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Jun 17 2009, 05:40 PM
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#23
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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.
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Jun 17 2009, 06:56 PM
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#24
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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 |
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Jun 19 2009, 06:28 AM
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#25
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Member Group: Members Posts: 290 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?
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Jun 27 2009, 06:50 AM
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#26
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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... -------------------- |
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Jun 27 2009, 08:14 AM
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#27
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Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14431 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
Well - before the descoping of Mastcam's zoom..... it DID
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Jul 11 2009, 03:40 AM
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#28
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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.
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Jul 11 2009, 03:43 AM
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#29
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Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 3431 Joined: 11-August 04 From: USA Member No.: 98 |
Where? I don't see it.
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Jul 11 2009, 03:54 AM
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#30
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8783 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
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! ) -------------------- 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.
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