SEVEN MINUTES OF TERROR As Curiosity Set To Land On August 5TH! (moon, telescope)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Here's a recap of the event when mission control got confirmation that the MSL made a successful touchdown and that it was already sending the first pictures. I don't know if the signal was coming direct from the MSL or if it was relayed by one of the orbiters though. Regardless, it was a moment of great celebration and congratulations on a job well done.
Here's a recap of the event when mission control got confirmation that the MSL made a successful touchdown and that it was already sending the first pictures. I don't know if the signal was coming direct from the MSL or if it was relayed by one of the orbiters though. Regardless, it was a moment of great celebration and congratulations on a job well done.
They were beaming back via Odyssey orbiting over-head. You could hear the JPL stating they may not get more photos (after three or four they had) for a couple of hours until Odyssey came back overhead.
They were beaming back via Odyssey orbiting over-head. You could hear the JPL stating they may not get more photos (after three or four they had) for a couple of hours until Odyssey came back overhead.
Thank you for clarifying that the signals were going through Odyssey orbiter. The orbiters and MSL had to lined up with a relatively short window to capture the signal, otherwise there'd have to be a wait for another orbit to line up again. As it turned out, it was just right. Basically, what the MSL is doing is checking it's systems to make sure everything is working correctly. The bonus is that we're getting a preview of the location. It'll be when much higher resolution images can be beamed to Earth, not to mention color and stereoscopic images. MSL has more cameras than a tourist.
Thank you for clarifying that the signals were going through Odyssey orbiter. The orbiters and MSL had to lined up with a relatively short window to capture the signal, otherwise there'd have to be a wait for another orbit to line up again. As it turned out, it was just right. Basically, what the MSL is doing is checking it's systems to make sure everything is working correctly. The bonus is that we're getting a preview of the location. It'll be when much higher resolution images can be beamed to Earth, not to mention color and stereoscopic images. MSL has more cameras than a tourist.
Yeah, it was a pretty exciting morning. I look forward to some primo mars photography.
Another excellent recap of the event. This one shows animations of what was taking place, mixed with the reactions from Mission Control as each event succeeded.
The parachute design made an enormous contribution in slowing the craft down after it hit the atmosphere. It's the longest and strongest ever made for a planetary mission. "...the parachute was 16 stories tall, 50 feet in diameter, and made of the same type of nylon found in outerwear like raincoats." It was able to withstand a 9-G shock and slow the craft from 1000 mph to 200 mph. That'd knock your dentures loose. The Coolest Photograph Yet of the Curiosity Mars Rover | TheMagazine.us
If anything had gone wrong at each stage, or the timing had been even slightly off, the mission could've been a disaster. As it turned out, it was a flawless landing. Now the real point of the mission will soon begin. Like everyone, I can hardly wait to see what sights and discoveries can be revealed during this mission.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Thank you for clarifying that the signals were going through Odyssey orbiter. The orbiters and MSL had to lined up with a relatively short window to capture the signal, otherwise there'd have to be a wait for another orbit to line up again. As it turned out, it was just right. Basically, what the MSL is doing is checking it's systems to make sure everything is working correctly. The bonus is that we're getting a preview of the location. It'll be when much higher resolution images can be beamed to Earth, not to mention color and stereoscopic images. MSL has more cameras than a tourist.
Thanks!
