As most of you know, MSL (Mars Science Laboratory) Rover landed successfully on Mars Last night (around 10:30 PM PST). This is a picture I took of it while it was still being assembled at JPL (where I work). It is a proud moment for not only America but human race. I am glad that a piece of history was entered as a challenge entry on DPC as well.
An animation video on the landing of this SUV-sized rover on the red planet.
That's such an amazing accomplishment... I've been following avidly, if vicariously. My uncle, Walter Lowrie, was in charge of the Viking program for Martin Marietta back in the boom days of space exploration... So I was infected at an early age.
Such an incredible achievement. I can just imagine the tension in the room as they wait the long minutes for the first transmission, not knowing if the rover has already burned up on re-entry.
Congratulations -- it must be incredibly exciting to be a part of a project like this, and also inspiring that at least one governement agency knows how to make things work.
Awesome picture Allen! I've been following Curiosity with great attention so far. Excellent to know that you were somehow involved.
I heard something about a potential video being captured upon entry. I would love to see that. I also can't wait for them to get the mast up and begin capturing some new images. So much to learn.
I watched the coverage last night, and I have to say, it was electrifying! That "seven minutes of terror" went by in a flash. It was astounding to hear each successful milestone ticked off, from separation from the cruise stage to atmospheric entry/maneuvering to 'chute deployment, then very quickly to powered flight, sky crane deployment and landing. An amazing tour-de-force of engineering.
Huge congratulations are due to NASA, and the JPL team. This is the way it should be done.
If we were to collectively put this much effort and money into more essential matters maybe we may never need another planet to escape to. I have to agree with cutout here, a totally futile exercise in the scheme of things but one that represents well man's need to find happiness anywhere but right here, right now.
I have to agree with cutout here, a totally futile exercise in the scheme of things but one that represents well man's need to find happiness anywhere but right here, right now.
I couldn't disagree more. It's in the nature of mankind, in our very genes, to need far horizons, unconquered frontiers. Without them we wither, become less than we might be.
I have to agree with cutout here, a totally futile exercise in the scheme of things but one that represents well man's need to find happiness anywhere but right here, right now.
I couldn't disagree more. It's in the nature of mankind, in our very genes, to need far horizons, unconquered frontiers. Without them we wither, become less than we might be.
I couldn't disagree more. It's in the nature of mankind, in our very genes, to need far horizons, unconquered frontiers. Without them we wither, become less than we might be.
Well said!
If we as a species never took risks and pushed our boundaries, we'd still be hunter-gatherers.
I couldn't disagree more. It's in the nature of mankind, in our very genes, to need far horizons, unconquered frontiers. Without them we wither, become less than we might be.
Well said!
If we as a species never took risks and pushed our boundaries, we'd still be hunter-gatherers.
I, for one, wish for a much less risk-averse society.
I have to agree with cutout here, a totally futile exercise in the scheme of things but one that represents well man's need to find happiness anywhere but right here, right now.
I couldn't disagree more. It's in the nature of mankind, in our very genes, to need far horizons, unconquered frontiers. Without them we wither, become less than we might be.
Would we become less for not exploring mars ? Would be become more for exploring more our own planet and it's inequalities and the damage we are doing to it ? Would we become more by exploring our own mind and reasons behind its incessant desires ? of course exploration is a necessity to bettering ourselves, it's just the direction that matters.
I couldn't disagree more. It's in the nature of mankind, in our very genes, to need far horizons, unconquered frontiers. Without them we wither, become less than we might be.
Well said!
If we as a species never took risks and pushed our boundaries, we'd still be hunter-gatherers.
[quote=Bear_Music] I couldn't disagree more. It's in the nature of mankind, in our very genes, to need far horizons, unconquered frontiers. Without them we wither, become less than we might be.
Grog used to be Hunter Gatherer, but this did not satisfy his tribe. So Grog had to explore the other side of mountain, then Grog came back home one day after being attacked my big brown ugly thing, made many scars on Grog, but the tribe did not care. They only wanted more. Soon, there were no more mountains to explore. So Grog, bought a TV and watched NFL on Monday nights. He decided to do Virtual exploration from then on, much less dangerous.
If we were to collectively put this much effort and money into more essential matters maybe we may never need another planet to escape to.
So instead of bemoaning NASA their paltry 1% of the Federal budget, why not demand that the government spend the other 99% of your tax dollars as effectively ... remember that NASA and the space program provided the stimulus for the miniaturization of electronics (as in your computer, your camera, your CD/MP3 player, LCD monitors, etc.), not to mention other andvances in various technologies (fabrics, metallurgy, robotics, ...). They also fly the satellites which track the weather, volcanic erputions, fires, solar flares/CMEs ... oh yeah, and the Hubble space telescope ...
we send an over sized toaster to mars and call it humanity
like we send a drone to some wedding feast kill them all and call it justice
lucky jesus was not a quest
I really dislike declaring martial law, but it is past time to start erring on the side of civility in the forums for a while, and to try and detoxify the atmosphere which so many seem to complain about even as they contribute to its seeming perpetuity.
we send an over sized toaster to mars and call it humanity
like we send a drone to some wedding feast kill them all and call it justice
lucky jesus was not a quest
I don't remember any of that originating from Amsterdam. I am quite proud of the USA achievement and don't mind the money being spent. Much more productive spending than food stamps or early retirement!
we send an over sized toaster to mars and call it humanity
like we send a drone to some wedding feast kill them all and call it justice
lucky jesus was not a quest
I don't remember any of that originating from Amsterdam. I am quite proud of the USA achievement and don't mind the money being spent. Much more productive spending than food stamps or early retirement!
