'Curiosity' - NASA Mars Rover - Due to land 5th Aug 2012

[jmorgan]

I think Neil Armstrong suggested that people of a certain age, such as himself, might want to do this as a swan song? Not sure he was suggesting himself, not seen the actual quote from him.

[MartG]

There are a few ways to alleviate the problem - develop better propulsion systems ( e.g. nuclear thermal ) to reduce passage duration, active shielding ( e.g. magnetic and electrostatic shields to deflect charged particles ), passive shielding ( e.g. a big water tank around the living quarters ), orienting the spacecraft to place as much of it as possible between the primary radiation source ( the sun ? ) and the crew.

[Mojocvh]

But doesn't the problem persist once on Mars as it has no magnetosphere?

[jmorgan]

Reading somewhere where they suggested that the holes on the Moon, that they think are collapsed lava tubes, would make a good start. Underground and all that. There are holes on Mars, probably not giant sand worms...... Either way, ready made shielding?

[dxg]

If the journey to Mars is one way only, then surely it doesn't matter.

If the goal is to set up some long term base then perhaps it's an issue, but if the goal is just to land and maybe explore a little, then what does it matter? The crew would have ended their lives long before any effects of the radiation would be seen.

Or am I missing something here?

[Zad]

I can't think of a better way to stifle public enthusiasm about space travel than to send people to Mars where they slowly die in full public view.

[jmorgan]

Zad said:

I can't think of a better way to stifle public enthusiasm about space travel than to send people to Mars where they slowly die in full public view.

They watch big brother, that dies every time.

[Eric Mc]

Zad said:

I can't think of a better way to stifle public enthusiasm about space travel than to send people to Mars where they slowly die in full public view.

On the contrary, there would be HUGE TV audience for that.

[jmorgan]

Often wonder how many news stations were taking the shuttle launches pre then post disaster. Same with Apollo 13.

[mrmr96]

Latest Rover Report. Includes a good summary of where they've been so far. Apparently, they're done with Gleneg now and are now on their way to Mt Sharp!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH56wMh3FZg

[mrmr96]

You guys seen this?



http://www.space.com/25397-strange-light-on-mars-s...

[jmorgan]

There was post on this yesterday. Seems it is innocuous enough but the aliens are here brigade are going to wet themselves.

[MartG]

As it was spotted two days running, I'd discount the 'cosmic ray' theory as it's just too much of a coincidence for one to cause a blip in the same place for two days. More likely just a bit of reflective rock, or maybe some debris from Curiosity's lander.

[jmorgan]

In one of the possible explanations they showed the two eyes from the mast cam at the same timing, one had the flash, tother did not.

And then went on to say they get them at the same time.

Either way, I am for a rational explanation before its

[Foliage]

Maybe some sort of photoluminescent rock maybe? do you get though's knocking around?

[jmorgan]

Aristarchus is worth a look. Not exactly a direct comparison but it reflects light hitting it something wicked. Maybe the same here but on a much smaller scale.

[MartG]

So despite all the testing prior to the flight, the wheels last fewer miles than a Pirelli Formula 1 tyre

[XM5ER]

mrmr96 said:

You guys seen this?



http://www.space.com/25397-strange-light-on-mars-s...

Possibly connected to this phenomena
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-na...
It looks the right shape.

[CrutyRammers]

MartG said:

So despite all the testing prior to the flight, the wheels last fewer miles than a Pirelli Formula 1 tyre

I guess space exploration is just hard

[Vaud]

CrutyRammers said:

I guess space exploration is just hard

Quite.

"Each of Curiosity's wheels is about 20 inches (50 centimeters) in diameter and 16 inches (40 cm) wide. The wheels have "grousers," forming something akin to a tread pattern. The skin of a rover wheel is just 0.03 inches (0.75 millimeters) thick, with the protruding grousers providing structural strength."

Impressive engineering, and compromises must be made when every gram counts?