Space program
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Sorry to take so long to reply. Bluerooster, the picture of the lander from above was taken with the mast-mounted cameras--they took a wide-angle image, rotated the camera, took another image...and finally reassembled them into the picture you see.
So far, the best we've been able to do from Mars orbit is about 3 meters (10 feet) per pixel--the whole MER spacecraft could be in one pixel! The Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter, to launch in 2005, will be about 10 times better than that, but still wouldn't show any detail on the lander.
djlyellow
So far, the best we've been able to do from Mars orbit is about 3 meters (10 feet) per pixel--the whole MER spacecraft could be in one pixel! The Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter, to launch in 2005, will be about 10 times better than that, but still wouldn't show any detail on the lander.
djlyellow
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Washington
whoops--forgot Legal Bill:
They know that the spacecraft will stand up to the temperature extremes because they've tested every part in it under those conditions, and worse. Besides temperature, the other big factor is vibration (mostly during launch), so everything goes through exhaustive "shake and bake" cycles to show they're up to the mission.
With all the Mars news, I hope y'all haven't missed out on the Stardust mission's encounter with a comet. They flew the spacecraft over 100 miles from the comet nucleus (at , I think, 6 km/sec or something like 14,000 miles per hour), yet got great pictures and captured thousands of particles which are on their way back to Earth for study (after a two year trip)!
djlyellow
They know that the spacecraft will stand up to the temperature extremes because they've tested every part in it under those conditions, and worse. Besides temperature, the other big factor is vibration (mostly during launch), so everything goes through exhaustive "shake and bake" cycles to show they're up to the mission.
With all the Mars news, I hope y'all haven't missed out on the Stardust mission's encounter with a comet. They flew the spacecraft over 100 miles from the comet nucleus (at , I think, 6 km/sec or something like 14,000 miles per hour), yet got great pictures and captured thousands of particles which are on their way back to Earth for study (after a two year trip)!
djlyellow
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,693
Likes: 8,212
From: Mish-she-gan
NOVA's show tonight was great. It showed some of the stress and and engineering issues that were overcome. The more I learn the more I appreciate the obsticles that were overcome. Well done djlyellow and NASA.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,868
Likes: 1,058
yes it's amazing what we can do now. The big issue however in the end isn't our ability to produce a mechanical device to move through space. There are already several propulsion systems designed and being tested. I think someone putting up a set of solar sails this year.
The issue is us. Our body can't last in space. It degrades quickly. I would bet that issue alone, the human physique is the reason there is no manned trip to Mars or beyond.
fltsfshr
I wanna be Kimball Kinnison
The issue is us. Our body can't last in space. It degrades quickly. I would bet that issue alone, the human physique is the reason there is no manned trip to Mars or beyond.
fltsfshr
I wanna be Kimball Kinnison
OK, I will concede 
you can be Jean Luc. I'll just be Seven of Nine.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,868
Likes: 1,058
Picard doesn't hold a candle to kimball kinnison. Kinnison and his lens would kick the enterprises butt all over the universe...yea...can ya tell i'm a long time SF fan?
Star Trek was a rip off but a cool tv show
Go John Campbell go
fltsfshr
Star Trek was a rip off but a cool tv show
Go John Campbell go
fltsfshr
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 22,620
Likes: 867
From: The (S)Low Country
Always liked SciFi myself -- ever since I can remember. I think I preferred the Voyager series of the "Star Trek Chronicles" more than any of them (I loved Kate Mulgrew as Captain Janeway). I also liked the 7 of 9 semi-borg character. The New Generation series wasn't as captivating for me -- I think it outlived its ability to be creative. I also loved the antics of Muldur & Skully on X-Files. I don't like scifi when it becomes just pure horror and blood and guts violence. Of course, Twilight Zone and Outer Limits were always two of my faves as well.