posted 08-12-2011 10:51 AM               

Curiosity on Mars: Questions and comments

This thread is intended for comments and questions regarding the Curiosity Mars Science Laboratory and the updates published under the topic: NASA's Curiosity Mars Science Laboratory.

With its rover named Curiosity, Mars Science Laboratory mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. Curiosity was designed to assess whether Mars ever had an environment able to support small life forms called microbes. In other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability."

posted 11-17-2011 07:20 AM               

View NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Launch for Nov. 25 from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Launch-Related Activities Including Mars Rover Exhibit, Bill Nye the Science Guy and LEGO Play Area

Locals and visitors to Central Florida are invited to be a part of the excitement throughout Thanksgiving weekend as NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission carrying the car-sized Curiosity rover launches aboard a massive Atlas V 541 rocket on its way to explore the red planet. The launch is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 25, at 10:25 a.m. EST, the day after Thanksgiving, with special events and launch-related activities taking place throughout the week.

A limited number of guests are invited to witness the historic MSL launch from select designated locations within Kennedy Space Center, for just $20 plus the cost of admission (required). Or, guests may watch the launch from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for the cost of admission, which is $43 + tax for adults and $33 + tax for children ages 3-11. Guests may purchase an Annual Pass and enjoy unlimited visits for one calendar year from date of purchase (with the exception of Dec. 25) for just $13 more - $56 + tax for adults and $46 + tax for children ages 3-11.

Throughout the launch week and beyond, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host a variety of special events and activities.

Starting Nov. 21, the Visitor Complex welcomes a Mars Rover Exhibit, featuring a trio of full sized, high fidelity rover models from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) including: Sojourner, Mars Exploration Rover (MER) and the newest member of the family, the car-sized MSL rover, Curiosity.

The exhibit, located in Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted, will remain at the Visitor Complex through March 2012.

Nov. 22 through 26, children of all ages are invited to the LEGO Build the Future play area. Guests will be admitted to the play area for 45 minutes to build their vision of the future out of LEGO bricks. For a glimpse at LEGO activities, visit legospace.com.

On Nov. 25, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex welcomes back special guest Bill Nye of the Emmy award-winning TV show, "Bill Nye The Science Guy," who will speak to guests at the IMAX Theater at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to discuss the MSL mission and Curiosity rover. Seating for Nye's presentations is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so early arrival at the theater is recommended.

Bill Nye is the Executive Director of The Planetary Society, the world's largest space interest group, as well as a scientist, former Boeing engineer, stand-up comedian, author, inventor and man on a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society. He is the host of three currently running TV shows including "The 100 Greatest Discoveries" on the Science Channel, "The Eyes of Nye" on PBS and "Stuff Happens" on Planet Green.

On Nov. 25-26, guests may take part in the Scientists in Action live webcast and ask questions of MSL scientists as well as attend live presentations by visiting Mars scientists.

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission features the car-sized Curiosity rover, equipped with the most advanced payload of scientific gear ever deployed to the surface of Mars. After an eight-month journey, MSL will land on Mars in August 2012. The innovative and precise guided entry and powered sky crane descent employed to place Curiosity on the Martian surface has made many of Mars' most intriguing regions viable destinations for the first time. In the 23-months (one Mars year) after landing, Curiosity will analyze samples drilled from rocks or scooped from the ground as it explores, assesses and characterizes its landing region site with greater capabilities than any previous Mars rover. Much like a robotic field geologist and mobile geochemical and environmental laboratory, Curiosity will provide NASA scientists with data for understanding Mars as a potential habitat for life, past or present.

To purchase launch viewing tickets, visit kennedyspacecenter.com or call 866-737-5235. Due to the anticipated popularity of launch viewing opportunities, reservations are strongly suggested.

posted 11-27-2011 01:43 AM               

Technically speaking, does the apogee go up to infinite before engine cutoff or up to the actual mileage to Mars or how does that work?

And then there was the final shot of separation. I sort of knew that it works that way but I was still amazed to realize how short the actual boost phase of the mission is. Just 45 minutes after launch and it's really on it's way.

posted 11-27-2011 07:36 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by BA002:
Technically speaking, does the apogee go up to infinite before engine cutoff or up to the actual mileage to Mars or how does that work?

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quote:

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I was still amazed to realize how short the actual boost phase of the mission is. Just 45 minutes after launch and it's really on it's way.

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posted 12-26-2011 05:13 AM               

The CME is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 28th at 1200 UT and a direct hit to the planet Mars on Dec. 30th at 1800 UT. Using onboard radiation sensors, NASA's Curiosity rover might be able to sense the CME when it passes the rover's spacecraft en route to Mars.

posted 06-23-2012 09:22 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by moorouge:
Leaves one wondering why they made it so complicated.

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Team members at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory share the challenges of the Curiosity Mars rover's final minutes to landing on the surface of Mars.

posted 06-23-2012 11:08 AM               

MSL is more than half again as heavy as the Viking landers. The landing sequence is somewhat similar with the exception of the skycrane. I had my doubts about the complexity introduced by the skycrane, too (what happens if any of the pyros don't fire?), but it seems the only way to get the lander on the surface without clogging it up with dust.

posted 06-23-2012 02:32 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by ilbasso:
I had my doubts about the complexity introduced by the skycrane, too [1] (what happens if any of the pyros don't fire? [2]), but it seems the only way to get the lander on the surface without clogging it up with dust. [3]

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1. No more complex than trying to get/drive a rover off of a lander

2. There are two pyros in each location.

3. Has nothing to do with dust, it is a reduction in complexity with an increased probability of mission success.

posted 06-23-2012 02:49 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim Behling:
Has nothing to do with dust

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We can't get those rocket engines too close to the ground because if we were to descend propulsively all the way to the ground we would essentially create this massive dust cloud. That dust cloud could then land on the rover. It could damage mechanisms and it could damage instruments. So the way we solve that problem, is by using the skycrane maneuver.

posted 07-22-2012 07:34 PM               

To quote a phrase from Famed Korean War Ace General Frederick "Boots" Blesse who once wrote a book on tactics titled "No Guts No Glory"

That applies here I think.

posted 07-22-2012 07:59 PM               

However, with MSL, NASA could have planned two spacecraft, each with more limited capabilities so that the weight would have been less, not requiring the current EDL design for landing. Alternatively, NASA could have built a back-up spacecraft (or at least the major parts). If Curiosity crashes, the JPL people have no realistic contingency plan.

I asked Richard Cook, the deputy project manager at JPL, why they didn't have a backup and he said it would have cost about $300 million more. If the MSL program at JPL would have stayed on schedule and on budget there would have been enough funds, in my opinion, to cover this.

The whole mission concept planning has been poor, the project is costing almost twice the original estimate, the flight is two years late, and the engineering requires too many things to work correctly to rely on only one spacecraft (without either a second spacecraft or at least the spare parts for another rover).

posted 07-22-2012 10:21 PM               

I speculate that with budget cuts to the unmanned space program, the idea was to put all their eggs on one basket (or spacecraft) in hopes of collecting as much data as they can with one hail mary mission. If it works then the data collected will be worth the risk. If it fails we have will have seen the last mars spacecraft of its kind for some time either way success or failure so perhaps they thought it worth the risk.

posted 07-24-2012 10:41 PM               

As for other methods, air bags were already maxed out for MER, a Viking type lander with a rover on top would have a larger problem in getting the rover off, which with the dust, lead to the skycrane. The lander would have to be higher than the Lunkhod.

MER rovers were not capable of handling other instruments due to lack of power

As for a second rover, not really feasible and mission costs (not jut rover) would be closer to $500 million

1. not plutonium for RTG
   
2. no second launch vehicle capable of flying the mission

posted 07-25-2012 08:50 PM               

Explore Mars Launches 'Get Curious' Campaign Ahead of Mars Rover 'Curiosity' Landing

United Launch Alliance and Aerojet support nationwide campaign surrounding Mars exploration

The 'Get Curious' campaign launches today with the support of United Launch Alliance (ULA), Explore Mars, a nonprofit organization promoting innovation and education aimed at making a human mission to Mars happen sooner, and Aerojet.

The campaign encourages the public to 'Get Curious' and visit GetCurious.com, where they can learn more about the landing of the Mars rover 'Curiosity,' the benefits of space exploration and the unique financial and educational opportunities that exploring Mars will bring to the United States and the rest of the world.

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, on board 'Curiosity,' will make its descent onto the Red Planet on the evening of Aug. 5. Curiosity began its eight-month journey in November 2011 and is set to land that night at 10:30 pm PDT/12:31 am CDT/1:31 am EDT.

"The potential knowledge we could gain from Curiosity's exploration is tremendous," Explore Mars Executive Director Chris Carberry said. "We have an opportunity to learn if life once could have existed or could still exist on Mars. A successful MSL mission will also move us one step closer to the goal of putting humans on Mars by 2030."

Curiosity is the largest mobile science laboratory to date; it will analyze the atmospheric history of Mars, examine radiation, interpret geological processes, look for the building blocks of life, and conduct many other science experiments. Explore Mars will continue to provide educational information, mission highlights and laboratory findings as they come in and for several months after the landing to educate the public about the mission.

"As an organization that proudly serves our country's space launch needs, United Launch Alliance (ULA) understands the social and economic importance of this mission to Mars," said Michael Gass, ULA's President and CEO. "ULA is excited to participate in the 'Get Curious' campaign. We hope the campaign will inspire people, raise awareness and increase public support for future launches to continue to explore our universe."

The 'Get Curious' campaign's website, GetCurious.com, will host a range of information and activities including a landing countdown ticker, a map of local 'landing parties,' educational materials, photos, videos and information from partners such as ULA, Aerojet, National Geographic, the National Institute of Aerospace, Yuri's Night and a plethora of social media activity.

Science and astronomy groups, organizations and individuals across the nation are encouraged to plan local watch parties at restaurants, pubs, universities, planetariums and other venues to join space enthusiasts around the world. The NASA channel and a live streaming video will be available at nasa.gov/ntv as the rover touches down.

Party organizers can register their event at GetCurious.com/parties. All events will be added to an interactive party map allowing interested people in the area to join local parties. Photos, discussions and locations of parties can also be tracked on Twitter using #MarsParties.

Additionally, an eight-city, nationwide exhibit will launch on July 26 to promote the campaign. More information will be released on that day and will be available on the campaign website.

On the "Curiosity Kids" section of the webpage, students, parents and teachers will be able to explore STEM education information about Mars and America's innovations in space exploration.

For more about Curiosity, the Get Curious campaign, partners, and to learn how to become involved please visit GetCurious.com.

posted 07-30-2012 02:04 PM               

Special BBC Horizon dedicated to MSL - Mission to Mars

posted 07-31-2012 09:54 AM               

Thursday, Aug. 2

• 12 p.m. Mission Science Overview News Briefing
  
• 1 p.m. Mission Engineering Overview News Briefing

• 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. NASA Social

• 11:30 a.m. Prelanding Update and Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) Overview News Briefing

• 11:30 a.m. - Final Prelanding Update News Briefing
  
• 5 p.m. - NASA Science News Briefing
  
• 10:30 p.m. to about 1 a.m. - Landing Commentary No. 1

• No earlier than 1:15 a.m. - Post-landing News Briefing
  
• 2:30 to 3:30 a.m. - Landing Commentary No. 2
  
• 11 a.m. - Landing Recap News Briefing
  
• 6 p.m. - Possible New Images News Briefing

• 12 p.m. - News Briefing

• 12 p.m. - News Briefing

• 12 p.m. - News Briefing

• 12 p.m. (tentative) - News Briefing

posted 08-01-2012 06:28 AM               

Daring NASA Mars mission broadcast lands in Times Square

The Toshiba Vision screen in New York City's Times Square will become the largest East Coast location for the public to see live mission coverage of Curiosity, NASA's most advanced planetary rover, as it lands on the Martian surface at 1:31 a.m. EDT August 6.

The Toshiba Vision screen will broadcast NASA TV coverage beginning at 11:30 p.m. EDT August 5 and continuing through 4 a.m. EDT the next day. Programming will originate from Mission Control at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. The rover is on a precise course for a landing beside a Martian mountain to begin 2 years of unprecedented scientific detective work.

"In the city that never sleeps, the historic Times Square will be the place for New Yorkers to participate in this historic landing," said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "When you think of all the big news events in history, you think of Times Square, and I can think of no better venue to celebrate this news-making event on Mars."

Getting Curiosity to the surface of Mars will not be easy. During a critical period lasting only about 7 minutes, the MSL spacecraft carrying Curiosity must slow down from about 13,200 mph (about 5,900 meters per second) to allow the rover to land on the surface at about 1.7 mph (three-fourths of a meter per second). For the landing to succeed, hundreds of events will need to go right, many with split-second timing. All are controlled autonomously by the spacecraft.

Prominently positioned below the world-famous New Year's Eve ball in Times Square, the Toshiba Vision dual LED screens will allow viewers to see the action from Mission Control, including receipt of the first signal from Mars following a successful landing. "We're pleased the Toshiba Vision screens will offer a unique view of this great scientific achievement, the landing of the rover Curiosity on Mars," says Eddie Temistokle, senior manager of corporate communications and corporate social responsibility for Toshiba America Inc.

Visitors to Times Square can hear the audio portion of NASA's coverage along with other listeners around the world by tuning in to the online radio station Third Rock Radio. This is the first time Third Rock Radio will provide live coverage of a NASA event. Third Rock Radio can be streamed from the NASA homepage at and on smart phones and tablets through the Tuneln mobile app.

posted 08-02-2012 11:10 AM               

The 17 cameras on NASA's Curiosity rover are capable of sending back unprecedented, jaw-dropping, full-color views of Mars — but don't expect to be wowed by the first images. In fact, they just might be literally the size of postage stamps, in black and white.

Millions of people will be watching NASA's coverage of Curiosity's landing at 10:31 p.m. PT Sunday (1:31 a.m. ET Monday), on displays ranging from palm-sized smartphone screens to the giant screen in New York's Times Square. If the landing is successful, the first thing we'll see is bunches of grown men and women acting like giddy teenagers, pointing at blips on their computer monitors. What we definitely won't see are the 2-megapixel, color images that Curiosity's best cameras are capable of capturing.

Instead, we might see 64-by-64-pixel, black-and-white thumbnails from the rover's hazard avoidance cameras, or Hazcams. If NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter has time to relay more data from Curiosity, they might be 256 pixels square. Or there might be no pictures at all, just because Odyssey wasn't able to acquire enough of a signal fast enough.

In that case, we'll have to wait for Odyssey's second orbital pass, at around 12:45 a.m. PT Sunday (3:45 a.m. ET Monday). The fisheye-view Hazcam images sent during that opportunity could be 512 pixels square or maybe even 1,024 pixels square.

posted 08-02-2012 12:32 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by canyon42:
Are there any plans to try to get a photo of Curiosity's descent from another craft like the shot of Phoenix under its parachute taken by the Mars Observer orbiter?

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posted 08-04-2012 10:08 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Fra Mauro:
There seems to be pessimism even at JPL about the landing.

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posted 08-04-2012 02:01 PM               

So while no one is predicting a crash (other than perhaps many of the media now gathering at JPL), the team is being realistic when they say that this is not a sure thing.