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Preparing for launch |
 Nov 19 2011, 10:10 PM
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#76
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 Member  Group: Members Posts: 618 Joined: 13-February 10 From: Vancouver, British Columbia Member No.: 5221  |
It says 'flight termination system battery' on that page so it's probably the latter, nprev.
-------------------- To a body of infinite size there can be ascribed neither centre nor boundary... Thus the Earth no more than any other world is at the centre. -Giordano Bruno, 1584.
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Nov 19 2011, 10:31 PM
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#77
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 Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 6474 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
Ah. Thanks, guys.
For some odd reason that seems to be the one that goes bad most frequently on the Atlas & Delta families. Maybe it's because they don't experience as many charge/discharge cycles during pre-launch testing? If memory serves (and, knowing me, it probably doesn't) they had to replace a flight termination system battery on the booster for one of the MERs as well. -------------------- 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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Nov 19 2011, 10:35 PM
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#78
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 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3534 Joined: 1-October 05 From: Croatia Member No.: 523 |
It could be because the requirements for the FTS system are much more stringent than for other components. Of all the systems and subsystems onboard, that one must be guaranteed to work at all times and in the most severe off-nominal conditions to ensure public safety if anything goes wrong.
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Nov 19 2011, 10:39 PM
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#79
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Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 6474 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
Good point, G. There is a fairly significant metropolitan area surrounding the Cape these days, and Vandenberg is a scant 160 km or so from the sprawling LA metro area....25 million people.
Yeah, you're gonna want that battery to work if it's needed. 
-------------------- 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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Nov 23 2011, 05:07 AM
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#80
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 254 Joined: 21-December 07 From: Clatskanie, Oregon Member No.: 3988 |
Question: After browsing through the KSC Multimedia images of MSL, and looking at the images of the MMRTG lifting, I am perplexed as to why the MMRTG is completley exposed to the atmosphere. For cooling I can understand, but how is any earthly or air particulate contamination not of concern? I hope it was wiped down good with isopropyl alcohol just prior to installation with the rover
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| Guest_Oersted_* |
Nov 23 2011, 01:01 PM
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#81
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Guests |
The cooling circuit is surely well-insulated. As for the rest: well, added weight is added weight, so there is absolutely no unnecessary shielding on the rovers. Which give them that fantastic home-made look...
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Nov 23 2011, 01:17 PM
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#82
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Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 6474 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
Not sure of the methods employed, but I'm certain that they are following the Planetary Protection Protocols (PPP).
Let's give the actual rocket scientists the benefit of the doubt, shall we? 
-------------------- 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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Nov 24 2011, 10:03 PM
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#83
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 Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 56 Joined: 1-August 06 From: Vienna, Austria Member No.: 1002 |
http://planetaryprotection.nasa.gov/methods/
provides a good description of the methods used to reduce spacecraft microbial contamination. Unfortunately/fortunately Pu-238 being an alpha emitter, the MMRTG won't self-sterilize!
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Dec 5 2011, 08:38 AM
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#84
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Member Group: Members Posts: 101 Joined: 4-May 11 From: Pardubice, CZ Member No.: 5979 |
Another potential planetary protection "issue" - not ultraclean drill bits, was mentioned here.
Since MSL is not life-detection mission could this be any seriouse problem when rock interior sampling? |
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Dec 5 2011, 10:35 AM
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#85
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Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 6474 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
No, not at all.
-------------------- 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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