New MSL and MER comparison Image from JPL, Setting Expectations for Future Generations |
New MSL and MER comparison Image from JPL, Setting Expectations for Future Generations |
Mar 21 2006, 11:39 PM
Post
#1
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 548 Joined: 19-March 05 From: Princeton, NJ, USA Member No.: 212 |
A revealing new comparison image of MSL and MER
The JPL caption and article are below This artist's concept shows that the next generation rover, Mars Science Laboratory, is much larger than Spirit and Opportunity. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Setting Expectations for Future Generations That's important, because the rovers depend on sun intake for their health. Like many boomers, they will be seeking the sunniest places to face winter, which is once again approaching on Mars. Having already lasted over a martian year - almost nine times longer than planned! - no one is sure just how much longer they will last. "Once the rovers stop working, I'll miss seeing new pictures every day, but since I don't consider myself ancient, I hope to work on the Mars Science Laboratory mission after the rovers die," smiles Matijevic. And, as new generations of rovers continue driving faster and farther on Mars, future generations of astronauts--perhaps the grandchildren of today's Baby Boomers--will begin to head farther away from Earth. On the horizon is a whole new era for a human-robotic partnership, with the young-at-heart rovers raising the bar for all who follow. |
|
|
Guest_BruceMoomaw_* |
Mar 25 2006, 10:04 PM
Post
#2
|
Guests |
That uptilted box on the rear of the MSL model is to cover up the RTG -- it didn't exist on the earlier drawings. Question: will it really be there, or is this a fig leaf to cover up from the general public the fact that MSL will carry an RTG, to try and diminish anti-nuclear protests? (Kind of like those clothes Att. Gen. Ashcroft insisted on putting on the nude statues in the Justice Department building.)
|
|
|
Mar 25 2006, 10:22 PM
Post
#3
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2511 Joined: 13-September 05 Member No.: 497 |
That uptilted box on the rear of the MSL model is to cover up the RTG... Umm, no, that's the heat exchanger for the fluid loop that carries RTG waste heat into the rover. See http://marstech.jpl.nasa.gov/publications/...-2005-01-28.pdf -------------------- Disclaimer: This post is based on public information only. Any opinions are my own.
|
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 29th April 2024 - 12:33 PM |
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. |