Spirit & Opportunity

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-09 18:39:17

Heading out, I just wanted to let you guys know that the JPL site has updated with the images from todays press conference. They probably did this a lot earlier today, but I just now noticed.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004/

TJohn · 2004-01-09 21:28:12

The rovers currently will be operational for about 90 days. Just imagined if they were nuke powered. Oh the things that NASA could do!

Rxke · 2004-01-10 02:29:25

90 days minimum, o'Keefe said himself he hoped to get 6-7 months of operation out of the batteries. I guess by that time the operators will be dog-tired! Also, an rover that'd run for years and years would be financially very expensive, there are a lot of people working behind the scenes, and they have to get paid for what they do, so they'd run out of funds eventually, even if the rovers were still operational. Of course Viking landers 'lived' for several years IIRC, but were mainly used after a while as a glorified weather-station, beaming their data to earth, now and then...

(EDIT: just read that the Vikings were designed to work 90 days, too! Of course they were not solar powered, and a lot more expensive, but 90 days for the Rovers is an absolute minimum...)

Rxke · 2004-01-10 02:51:35

Meanwhile, they still don't know *exactly* where Spirit landed... (Spacedaily) an error margin of 500m seems to be too much for their taste...

Rxke · 2004-01-10 03:10:22

Nice article about 'the man behind Spirit' (Steve Squyres)
(ABCNews)

One question: the teaches astrology? ? ? That's a typo, no?

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 07:46:52

A rather stupid typo, at that. But it's a cute article still. Pretty short, could've fit on one page. He seemed to have been affected by the Viking pictures the same way I was. Pretty cool.

Palomar · 2004-01-10 08:17:01

Nice article about 'the man behind Spirit' (Steve Squyres)
(ABCNews)
One question: the teaches astrology? ? ? That's a typo, no?

*That's actually a more common mistake/misunderstanding than one might expect. I wish I had a nickel for every time someone has said, "Oh, you're into astrology? What's your sign?" ::shakes head with exasperation::

Unfortunately, Spaceweather.com (!) made somewhat of a mistake in that regard earlier this week: In an article it referred to a star (Sol's "twin") as being in the constellation of "Scorpio." I was surprised to see that...Scorpio and Scorpius are names for the same constellation; the former is what it's known by in astrology and the latter in astronomy.

--Cindy

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 10:37:04

Should be 25 minutes from another conference if they're doing them on Saturdays. The NASA TV schedule doesn't really indicate.

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 11:12:43

Doesn't look like they're having it now. I'm out for the day. Have a good weekend folks!

Palomar · 2004-01-10 12:00:04

Spirit Sends Geology Data to Earth

*"NASA (news - web sites)'s Spirit rover unfolded its wheels, stood up atop its lander and took in its surroundings with infrared vision for the first time since arriving on Mars a week ago.

Problems clearing airbags from a ramp on the lander have delayed plans to roll the rover down to the martian surface by at least another week, but Spirit hasn't been idle. While it waits aboard the lander, its technology has detected traces of minerals..."

--Cindy

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 12:01:09

I saw that they're actually replaying the conference mommentarily, somehow NASA TV screwed up and didn't play it while it was airing!

So I suggest you guys tune in! It's beginning now.

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 12:04:24

Hope Stu is catching it... I know he likes these conferences. They're talking about basically how they managed to get Spirit packed into such a compact place, and how all the unfolding processes have gone through flawlessly. Spirit is standing up perfectly now.

Stu · 2004-01-10 12:08:14

Stu present Sir! (salutes)

Not taking notes today tho, been out all day.

S

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 12:12:41

::waves:: I'm watching the Real Player stream today. Not so great quality, but still pretty cool.

They just did a rundown of basically how freaking complicated Spirit and its lander is. There are hundreds of pyro and other mechinical devices that have performed flawlessly. It's really fantastic. I've always argued about simplicity in designs, and I'm sure Spirit was as simple and as robust as possible, but even still, it's pretty complex, and I'm very impressed at what they've done.

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 12:21:34

New Pancam image.

I updated my sig to include links to other useful sites.

edit: btw, the guy who is talking now, is the guy from Pathfinder.

I recall his presence in quite a few Pathfinder briefings. He's comparing Pancam images to the Pathfinder images. Really good stuff.

Edited By Josh Cryer on 1073759020

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 12:25:51

Haha, Stu, I made an educated guess, and some of todays images are already available: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004....04.html

Stu · 2004-01-10 12:30:51

Haha, Stu, I made an educated guess, and some of todays images are already available: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/mer2004....04.html

Good work! Look at all those luvverly, luvverly weathered rocks... aren't they just crying-out to be chipped-at with a hammer..?

S

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 12:40:49

::wants high res versions but can't find any::

I wanna drive to that peak. I know it's not going to happen, but it'd be cool. They said it was about one km away. It'd be cool to drive to the top and take a few pictures. Maybe a full res Pancam panaroma.

It was just said that the power subsystem is doing "very well," BTW.

Stu · 2004-01-10 12:44:02

I'm intrigued by the very light material on the left side of that Sleepy Hollow-esque patch up at the top there... mottled in this medium-res image, going to be *very* interesting at hi-res. Won't be able to track it down til tomorrow my time cos I'm going out in ten mins, curses!

Stu · 2004-01-10 12:46:29

Matt Gollombeck just never stops laughing does he? He's like JPL's own happy little elf I remember watching him back in the Pathfinder days, he hasn't changed - and his enthusiasm hasn't waned - a bit! Quite a guy...

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-10 12:47:55

See ya Stu! I'm going out in about 10 mins too. Got lucky about seeing this conference.

edit: yeah, he's a really fantastic guy. I was wondering where he was, and I'm glad is as involved as the other guys in Spirit. Steve Squyres has shown a little more excitement, though, heheh.

Edited By Josh Cryer on 1073760551

Byron · 2004-01-10 17:24:14

Good news about the rover. According to the latest press release by JPL JPL it looks like it might perform roll-off as soon as next Tues night, since they won't have to level out the lander like they first thought.

Don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for Spirit to hit the road...

B

Josh Cryer · 2004-01-11 10:42:29

Goooood Sunday morning folks! Should have a press briefing in about 20 minutes.

Stu · 2004-01-11 11:00:52

Ready here... got my popcorn and 3D glasses at the ready...

High hopes for some more - or even all the remaining parts - of the panorama today. LOVED yesterday's release... I'm half comvinced one of the large, angular rocks on the right hand side shows patterning that isn't down to dust...

Oh, she's on... shush...

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