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Supersized Mars Rover — Parallax Forums

Supersized Mars Rover

ercoerco Posts: 20,259
edited 2012-08-23 09:22 in General Discussion
http://news.yahoo.com/nasa-readies-mars-rover-170836762.html

Ready for takeoff and the space race is back on. No, I'm not talking about the US vs Russia, whose Mars probe was "lost in space" (OK, lost in low earth orbit)

I'm talking much bigger potatoes. What would it take to get a Propeller on Mars before Arduino?

I heard a NASA guy recount that funding for very first Mars rover, Sojourner, was so tight that they were forced to use a stock US Robotics modem somewhere in the link to the orbiter. When asked about their possibility of success in space flight, USR said, "We'll guarantee it as far as earth orbit". Fortunately it worked properly and it was a win-win for everyone. Now USR can say they have the only production modem that worked on Mars.
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Comments

  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2011-11-11 12:14
    What would it take to get a potato there?
    Same difference.
    You've been around long enough to remember all of the furore/MMWNIC to go to the Moon.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-11-11 12:14
    I hope the Sojourner mission succeeds spectacularly; but as a techno-geek, I know that failure is always a possibility and that you just have to keep trying. Unfortunately our congress-weenies no longer seem to have any vision beyond the next election or funding cycle, so the success of each and every mission is critical to the program's continuation. This mission, in particular, will have such a gutsy, complex landing and deployment sequence that I'm sure all participants and observers will be on edge throughout the entire procedure. I know I will be.

    -Phil
  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2011-11-11 15:29
    I'm waiting for landing day like a kid waits for Christmas! :-)
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-11-11 15:42
    Landing day should be exciting for mission control. The latest animations of the planned Rube Goldberg-style landing sequences leave me wondering why they have to be so complicated.

    Let's pray there aren't any errant GOTOs in the landing code! :)
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2011-11-11 16:05
    Has the Propeller been tested for radiation hardness?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-11-11 17:49
    NASA's Hollywood-style animation of Orion splashdown sequence looks overly complex, too: http://news.yahoo.com/video/science-15749654/nasa-animation-of-orion-spacecraft-s-proposed-test-flight-27222000.html#crsl=%252Fvideo%252Fscience-15749654%252Fnasa-animation-of-orion-spacecraft-s-proposed-test-flight-27222000.html
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2011-11-12 19:29
    erco wrote: »
    Landing day should be exciting for mission control. The latest animations of the planned Rube Goldberg-style landing sequences leave me wondering why they have to be so complicated.

    I was in a meeting with one of the mission geologists back in the spring, and someone decided to put the animation showing the Sojourner landing up on the screen in the front of the room. She couldn't watch it - just seeing the animation made her too nervous. She said she doesn't want to think about it at all until it's safely down. I don't blame her.

    Someone asked why they don't land it with inflatable balloons like the previous missions. She said it's just far too large/heavy for that.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-11-12 20:03
    When you stop to think about it though, deploying the LEM from a module orbiting the moon, landing it, then relaunching it to dock with the orbiter for the return to earth seems pretty far-fetched, too -- even now.

    -Phil
  • Buck RogersBuck Rogers Posts: 2,188
    edited 2011-11-13 00:13
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    When you stop to think about it though, deploying the LEM from a module orbiting the moon, landing it, then relaunching it to dock with the orbiter for the return to earth seems pretty far-fetched, too -- even now.

    -Phil

    Hello!
    I was there, and yes it was. Especially since both vehicles used computers who were built entirely by hand, and had a really small storage size by today's standards. Take a look at the work by Von Braun that he wrote consisting of his articles for Popular Science. In one he advocated taking a LEM and re-configuring it to have the astronauts stay onboard, and that was done by deleting the ascent stage functions. Another one was landed next to it. That was their return flight. In fact the space agency got as far as having two individuals stay onboard a prototype for several days, and would emerge periodically to perform the usual experiments. (Fully suited, and complete with backpacks, no less!)

    You can guess how our less then capable government felt about that idea it was the first to be canceled. The others included the return to the moon involving more advanced studies....... But enough of that.
  • graffixgraffix Posts: 389
    edited 2011-11-26 06:36
    Launching Curiosity rover in HD live on http://www.ustream.tv/
    in about 15 min
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-01 10:07
    NASA to Broadcast Mars Rover Landing From NYC's Times Square Sunday Night
    Coverage starts at 11:30p, landing sched for 1:30a . Probably not a New Years' sized crowd, but I'm sure some folks will show up for the party!

    http://news.yahoo.com/nasa-broadcast-mars-rover-landing-nycs-times-square-210851713.html

    And for anyone who hasn't seen the overly dramatic "7 minutes of terror", it only takes 5 minutes (the video) :)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmWAyQxqqs
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-08-01 10:52
    The only thing missing from that landing sequence are five balls rolling down a track, landing in a bucket, which raises a razor blade that cuts a string, thereby releasing a counterweight that hoists the American flag.

    -Phil
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-01 11:05
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    The only thing missing from that landing sequence are five balls rolling down a track, landing in a bucket, which raises a razor blade that cuts a string, thereby releasing a counterweight that hoists the American flag.

    +1. During the launch sequence, they used the words "OK, Go" instead of the more traditional "liftoff". :)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    edited 2012-08-01 12:24
    August 6th is next week. I'm getting updates from this forum. I'm puzzled that not much is being said in the media. I guess I'll have to get the latest updates from the Nasa website.
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2012-08-01 12:41
    Did you see the pile of smached TVs in the background at about 2:37?

    Duane J
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2012-08-02 07:38
    So the actual event takes place on Sunday?

    Science channel has been advertising their show for a week. http://science.discovery.com/tv-schedules/special.html?paid=48.15727.137576.43765.0 Show time is 10PM EST.

    The landing sequence seems rather Rube Goldberg-ish. Phil's ending would be cool.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-02 08:30
    @jazzed: We west coasters get to see it a whole day early! Landing is scheduled for 10:30pm Saturday for us lucky ducks. Those poor busters on the east coast have to wait a day later, they won't see it until Sunday at 1:30am.
    :):):)
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    edited 2012-08-02 09:06
    I'm up at 1:30 AM if something has my attention so I'll be watching.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-02 15:30
    This is a cool and well-kept secret. I only found out today!

    http://www.capitolcolumn.com/news/mattel-to-celebrate-mars-landing-with-curiosity-rover-toy/
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-08-02 19:04
    erco wrote:
    I only found out today!
    Yeah, right. C'mon, erco, I have to assume you're one of the designers. :)

    According to the article, "The new toy’s price tag is an affordable $1.09 ..." What?!! Nothing sells for $1.09 anymore, unless it's destined for a McDonalds Happy Meal. Can that price possibly be correct?

    -Phil
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2012-08-02 20:03
    If so, I hope it's not a crappy toy. I'll probably find out too, because I want the toy. Love the Mars exploration stuff going on. Man, I can't believe how long it's been since Pathfinder. That was simply amazing, because Internet was capable enough to really get a good experience. For a while there, everybody was all over the newest pictures. "Look at that rock! What's under there?"

    This one has so much capability. Can't wait!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-03 11:43
    I just got one, and I really had nothing to do with it. But I quickly put the rover through "Seven Seconds of Terror". :)
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2012-08-03 11:47
    LOL!

    Let's just hope it can plod along at 2-3 MPH and justify the 2.5 billion.

    Jim
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-03 12:25
    Curiosity vs. Lamborghini. Tough day at the office! :)
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-08-03 14:19
    Great! Another fast ride I'll only ever be able to afford the Hot Wheels version of!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-03 19:02
    The 2008 Phoenix landing sequence was almost as complex, no Skycrane was used. Worth reviewing in anticip


    ...ation of Curiosity's landing tomorrow. :)

    Another 7 minutes of terror video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TaP8YMM524

    Mission control goes wild during landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbOT1pCE1Zk
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-08-03 21:11
    erco wrote: »
    @jazzed: We west coasters get to see it a whole day early! Landing is scheduled for 10:30pm Saturday for us lucky ducks. Those poor busters on the east coast have to wait a day later, they won't see it until Sunday at 1:30am.
    :):):)

    You're a day off erco. It is supposed to land at 10:30pm Sunday on the west coast.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-08-03 22:33
    Dang it, you're right Rich. I got caught up in "get there-itis". Sunday night it is.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2012-08-04 06:29
    I am so excited about this!

    I know that NASA does things that seem overly complicated - but when they work - they are just amazing!

    Think how much Spirit and Opportunity exceeded expectations. The fact that there is a robot made on earth rolling around on another planet blows my mind! I would love to be a tiny part of such a project.

    With robotics - there is so much left to accomplish - who knows who might contribute something important - Get to work!
  • jivy43jivy43 Posts: 11
    edited 2012-08-04 11:08
    Publison wrote: »
    LOL!

    Let's just hope it can plod along at 2-3 MPH and justify the 2.5 billion.

    Jim
    Actually, it travels at 1.5 in/sec (1.022727 mph}
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