no MARDI images from Phoenix |
no MARDI images from Phoenix |
Nov 14 2007, 03:26 AM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2511 Joined: 13-September 05 Member No.: 497 |
-------------------- Disclaimer: This post is based on public information only. Any opinions are my own.
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Nov 15 2007, 02:35 AM
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#2
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8783 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
Wasn't so much the probability of occurrence as the nature of the conflict. Potential interference with IMU inputs during EDL (where, obviously, they're needed the most) is scary indeed, and I'm sure that the Phoenix team is not at all anxious to repeat the MPL disaster (which, admittedly, arose from completely different root causes; the point is the same).
Losing the imagery is far better than accepting even a very small risk of losing the vehicle, so gotta vote WAY on the side of caution here; think they did the right thing. We're all well aware of how problematic landing on Mars has been historically; don't think that we need to take unnecessary chances. To quantify a little bit anyhow, here's where I'd put this on a probability vs. consequences plot, and it ain't makin' it. EDIT: Just to clarify, I am in no way trying to denigrate MARDI or its science return. Context data is invaluable, and it's really a damn shame that we won't get it from an instrument of this quality. However, given the fact that the spacecraft is in flight and no work-around appears evident, mission assurance needs have to take precedence. -------------------- 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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