Preparing for launch Options

[nprev]

Whose was this idea? Somebody we know here?

Nah...They just have EXTREMELY good taste!!!

[pospa]

Due to longer tests of EDL phase during August the spacecraft will be encapsulated four days later in October than originally scheduled.
If launch timeline will be affected by that should be clear in 2 weeks.

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/whatsnew...amp;NewsID=1149

[climber]

Atlas stacking underway: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av028/...ing/index1.html

[punkboi]

MSL launch prep page now up on the KSC Media Gallery:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=237

[Airbag]

Some really detailed photos there; thanks for the heads up. I'm just drooling over those close ups!

Interesting to note that that the two rockets in each pair are not quite pointed in the same direction; I would hazard a guess that the ones pointing slightly more "outward" are the ones used at the end (to minimize the blast effects on any surface dust).

And the wheels are covered in Mylar (or something similar to that) - I can't imagine they will be left like that; surely that must be to keep them as clean as possible until right before final packing up? If the covering is left on then it is bound to be shredded through use on Mars which would be very bad to then have lots of little pieces of insulation floating around.

Airbag

[djellison]

I would hazard a guess that the ones pointing slightly more "outward" are the ones used at the end (to minimize the blast effects on any surface dust).

Exactly that - the proj. animation reflects that. What it doesn't show is the jolt the system gets transitioning from all 8 to just the final four in prep for the skycrane maneuver.

And, I think the mylar's coming off....probably just contamination control and esd protection.

[pospa]

And, I think the mylar's coming off....probably just contamination control and esd protection.

Correct, see the latest mission update and this picture in full res. It´s maybe the last view of MSL before closing it completely into aeroshell.
All mylars from wheels and RBF covers are off the rover and sky crane.

[pospa]

MSL launch prep page now up on the KSC Media Gallery

Interesting to look a bit into the history there. I didn't know before, that MMRTG is at KSC since June already. (see page 11,12)

[punkboi]

And the wheels are covered in Mylar (or something similar to that) - I can't imagine they will be left like that; surely that must be to keep them as clean as possible until right before final packing up?

The Mylar is now removed. The photo on the JPL page linked below shows the wheels nice and black just as the rover is about to be enclosed by the heat shield:

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-313

[climber]

Atlas 5 getting ready: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av028/status.html

[pospa]

All MSL elements assembly (except MMRTG and some covers) is complete.



Do we know what's on schedule / preparation checklist for following 5 weeks prior to launch?
Thx

[vikingmars]

...And "The Thinker" from Rodin, meditating on MSL's future success, was there too (upper left corner)

[john_s]

Glad he's wearing a bunny suit over his traditional outfit!

John

[ilbasso]

Hopefully he's not thinking, "Now where did I leave that wrench?"

[nprev]

....no worries, Jonathon; the tool accountability procedures are undoubtedly VERY strict.

Even on aircraft (which you can actually fix later on, 'cause they come back) they are quite stringent; a lost tool is a BIG deal.