Mars Science Laboratory Website, Now online... Options

[Redstone]

Back from a non-internet-connected holiday, I was surfing around and found JPL has launched the MSL website.

Here it is:http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/index.html

This is a big improvement over the one page we have had for some time. Naturally, some parts need fleshing out, but there is a page for every instrument, along with summaries of the mission goals and objectives. I have not read through all of it yet, but look forward to discussion of what we can uncover here.

And I love this picture. MSL is gonna be BIG

[deglr6328]

I wonder why they're still using solid metal for the wheels instead of tires. I think in Mishkin's "sojourner" book he talks about how they were contemplating using tires even back then.

[dot.dk]

I wonder why they're still using solid metal for the wheels instead of tires. I think in Mishkin's "sojourner" book he talks about how they were contemplating using tires even back then.

You wouldn't want to get a puncture on Mars would you?

And how would you handle the lower pressure?

[Bob Shaw]

You wouldn't want to get a puncture on Mars would you? 

And how would you handle the lower pressure?

The lower pressure issue was dealt with on Apollo 14, when the MET tyres were *deflated* relative to normal atmospheric pressure prior to launch, and once in space they 'reinflated' back to a tyre shape.

As for punctures, that's surely more of a problem - the temperatures on Mars would make many flexible materials brittle and prone to leaks, and I imagine that a nicely designed solid metal wheel could also be rather light, too.

Bob Shaw

[djellison]

And, to be honest, I think you could make an all metal wheel lighter than a pneumatic one. You've got to make a metal hub for the pneumatic wheel anyway, might as well make it a bit bigger and forego the risk of puncture, deflation etc.

Doug

[MahFL]

The in wheel suspension looks very complex, hope they can withstand the shock of landing, if this is indeed the final wheel design.

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

[Guest_exobioquest_*]

Ok some questions here:

WHAT! they still have not settled on a power source? Solar is still a option! that is a dam sham!

and

Does anyone want to help update: Wiki MSL

that it for now.

[nprev]

And I love this picture. MSL is gonna be BIG 

Yes it is! Also from the new MSL site:

[dvandorn]

Yes, MSL is a good amount larger than MER. But MER, to me, is more aesthetically pleasing -- like a Lambourghini set up next to a Volvo.

-the other Doug

[Guest_exobioquest_*]

Yes, MSL is a good amount larger than MER.  But MER, to me, is more aesthetically pleasing -- like a Lambourghini set up next to a Volvo.

-the other Doug

Or maybe it just because in this image MER is graphically illustrated with far more detail and color then MSL.

I think MSL will be beautiful (even if it has a MMRTG instead of a SRG) but I don’t want to imagine what it would look like with solar panels, probably like a 6 wheeled volkswagen beetle with lawn chairs hanging all over its top, fing fugly!

[nprev]

Yes, MSL is a good amount larger than MER.  But MER, to me, is more aesthetically pleasing -- like a Lambourghini set up next to a Volvo.

-the other Doug

Well, if they end up selecting solar power then MSL might ultimately look a lot more like a big MER...but I'll take self-contained, reliable long-term power over esthetics any day!

The top deck of MSL sure looks empty, though, doesn't it? This has to be an early concept drawing; all that surface real estate will surely be utilized for something!

[djellison]

all that surface real estate will surely be utilized for something!

Take away the solar arrays, and MER's deck has the Pancam Mast, HGA, LGA, UHF, Calib Target, Mini-TES calib target and a load of hold-down-bolts. The only thing the MSL deck is missing in the drawings is UHF, LGA and Calibration targets really. It's not out of the question that the UHF might end up on top of the pancam assembly, and the LGA be forgoed alltogether. Just because there is some space there doesnt mean it has to be used for something.

I've not seen anything, anywhere, that suggests MSL WON'T be using RTG-type power and I've seen nothing anywhere that suggests is WILL be using solar power.

Doug

[Guest_exobioquest_*]

Well I'm sure the top is not going to be bare metal like that, in some of the design picture I see suspension structure and anchoring/loading points. So there going to be some bolts and texture at least.

[nprev]

Take away the solar arrays, and MER's deck has the Pancam Mast, HGA, LGA, UHF, Calib Target, Mini-TES calib target and a load of hold-down-bolts.  The only thing the MSL deck is missing in the drawings is UHF, LGA and Calibration targets really.  It's not out of the question that the UHF might end up on top of the pancam assembly, and the LGA be forgoed alltogether. Just because there is some space there doesnt mean it has to be used for something.

I've not seen anything, anywhere, that suggests MSL WON'T be using RTG-type power and I've seen nothing anywhere that suggests is WILL be using solar power.

Doug

Glad to hear about the power source selection, Doug; there's a whole other thread running wild with speculation on that, so it's hard to separate rumor from fact.

With respect to the RTGs, then, are they perhaps slated for installation on the top deck? I can see some possible design reasons for that with respect to heat management and minimizing the use of structurally vulnerable booms, but the tradeoff would be elevating the vehicle CG...

[djellison]

All the design stuff I've seen has the RTG sticking out the back

Doug