Mars inSight Mission
Discussion
ash73 said:
If it can't adjust where it lands, and we can all see in the photo it basically comes down to pot luck, I think it's a reasonable question to ask. I don't doubt there will be valid reasons, but it's interesting to find out why they can't do more to remove that element of chance; if I was paying for the instrument I'd certainly ask that question.
MartG said:
ash73 said:
If it can't adjust where it lands, and we can all see in the photo it basically comes down to pot luck, I think it's a reasonable question to ask. I don't doubt there will be valid reasons, but it's interesting to find out why they can't do more to remove that element of chance; if I was paying for the instrument I'd certainly ask that question.
Eric Mc said:
MartG said:
FFS Eric - it's a simple discussion about the technology used 
I often agree with you but this time you're taking pickiness to a new level
I just thought that there was implied criticism of NASA and the JPL for not using "obvious" technology. I often agree with you but this time you're taking pickiness to a new level I love discussing this stuff - but I balk at concluding that an organisation that has done such amazing things when it comes to Mars somehow could have done better.
On the other hand, both the Soviet/Russian and European attempts at landers have been singularly unsuccessful - so maybe we should look at why they kept/keep getting it wrong - all the time.
I'm specifically talking about Mars landers - which is what Mars inSight happens to be and what this thread is about.
ESA's record on Mars landers is 100% failure. They've tried twice and failed twice.
I wish ESA all the best - and they have another lander/rover in the offing. I've spoken regularly to the ESA Mars rover team at a number of Farnborough air shows - going back at least 10 years (when their rover was called "Brigid"). They deserve some success and I hope they get it before too long.
But please talk about the topic and not about the posters.
ESA's record on Mars landers is 100% failure. They've tried twice and failed twice.
I wish ESA all the best - and they have another lander/rover in the offing. I've spoken regularly to the ESA Mars rover team at a number of Farnborough air shows - going back at least 10 years (when their rover was called "Brigid"). They deserve some success and I hope they get it before too long.
But please talk about the topic and not about the posters.
They've been checking it over and powering on various instruments.
They'll be extending the robot arm soon and taking some "deck picks" with its camera.
There's a link to the released photos as they become available on this page:
https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/
They'll be extending the robot arm soon and taking some "deck picks"
with its camera.There's a link to the released photos as they become available on this page:
https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/
The lander's robot arm has been activated and there's a few photos here:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=729...
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=729...
Looks like it's jacking itself up to change a wheel.
He's what the wind on Mars sounds like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT50Q_Zbf3s
He's what the wind on Mars sounds like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT50Q_Zbf3s
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