Comments on: Mars Science Laboratory + Curiosity Rover: Interview with NASA JPL's Ashwin Vasavada http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Grognard http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1079040 Grognard Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079040 Great Video. I spy banned BB user Kevitivity there at 3:28 mark in the O'Brien video. Who knew there were so many JPLers here at BoingBoing? Great Video. I spy banned BB user Kevitivity there at 3:28 mark in the O’Brien video. Who knew there were so many JPLers here at BoingBoing?

]]> By: TPS Reports http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078788 TPS Reports Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078788 No more complaints! Let's all go to Mars! Seriously. And I cry uncle now and evermore at BB on the sound-in-space thing. Thanks for helping me work that out, everybody. No more complaints! Let’s all go to Mars!

Seriously.

And I cry uncle now and evermore at BB on the sound-in-space thing.

Thanks for helping me work that out, everybody.

]]> By: Ray Drainville http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078281 Ray Drainville Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078281 Miles O'Brien? Really? Miles O’Brien? Really?

]]> By: Ray Drainville http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078284 Ray Drainville Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078284 I mean, a Miles O'Brien doing space stuff? Shouldn't he be working on a space station somewhere? I mean, a Miles O’Brien doing space stuff? Shouldn’t he be working on a space station somewhere?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1082126 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1082126 A spacecraft with a microphone was *launched* to Mars, but failed to land successfully - the ill-fated Mars Polar Lander. Presumably, its mic failed to transmit the sound of the lander's premature engine shutdown followed by impact. The European Space Agency and the Planetary Society had better luck with the mic on the the Huygens probe that Cassini dropped into the atmosphere of Titan - some pretty eerie sounds there.(http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Cassini-Huygens/SEM85Q71Y3E_0.html) A spacecraft with a microphone was *launched* to Mars, but failed to land successfully – the ill-fated Mars Polar Lander.

Presumably, its mic failed to transmit the sound of the lander’s premature engine shutdown followed by impact.

The European Space Agency and the Planetary Society had better luck with the mic on the the Huygens probe that Cassini dropped into the atmosphere of Titan – some pretty eerie sounds there.(http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Cassini-Huygens/SEM85Q71Y3E_0.html)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078288 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078288 you see, _that's_ the way the bees could have lifted the notebook: direct the airflow around the object diagonally. .~. you see, _that’s_ the way the bees could have lifted the notebook: direct the airflow around the object diagonally.

.~.

]]> By: TPS Reports http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078309 TPS Reports Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078309 NASA animation is so cool, but why oh Why oh WHY is there sound included in the vacuum of space? Nooooo! NASA animation is so cool, but why oh Why oh WHY is there sound included in the vacuum of space? Nooooo!

]]> By: wgmleslie http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078325 wgmleslie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078325 If the NASA animation depicts sound in space, there's SOUND IN SPACE! If the NASA animation depicts sound in space, there’s SOUND IN SPACE!

]]> By: TSE http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1082169 TSE Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1082169 Really, BB? Tang? Are you TRYING to make people not care? Really, BB? Tang? Are you TRYING to make people not care?

]]> By: awjtawjt http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078338 awjtawjt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078338 I'm sure they know there's no sound in space. It's there for "effect". Your job is to locate the mute button. I’m sure they know there’s no sound in space. It’s there for “effect”. Your job is to locate the mute button.

]]> By: spriggan http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078603 spriggan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078603 fuel & mechanics weight vs power & output ratio. fuel & mechanics weight vs power & output ratio.

]]> By: lava http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078860 lava Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078860 I love the new landing sequence, particularly the part where the retro thrusters casually "toss" themselves away when their job is done. Way to litter the future Mars international park NASA! And I notice that Curiosity has no more dependence on soon to be dusty solar panels. You have a little nuke in the heart of the rover now, or a surplus Mr. Fusion? I love the new landing sequence, particularly the part where the retro thrusters casually “toss” themselves away when their job is done. Way to litter the future Mars international park NASA!

And I notice that Curiosity has no more dependence on soon to be dusty solar panels. You have a little nuke in the heart of the rover now, or a surplus Mr. Fusion?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078611 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078611 I think the mission will fail, and I hate to think so. It seems to me that there are too many steps in the process, any one of which going wrong will trash the project. As just one example, in the final deceleration, the failure of just one of the four rockets will throw the craft into an unrecoverable rotation. It seems a bit 'Rube Goldberg' to me. I want to see it succeed. I think the mission will fail, and I hate to think so. It seems to me that there are too many steps in the process, any one of which going wrong will trash the project. As just one example, in the final deceleration, the failure of just one of the four rockets will throw the craft into an unrecoverable rotation. It seems a bit ‘Rube Goldberg’ to me. I want to see it succeed.

]]> By: ManOutOfTime http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1079123 ManOutOfTime Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079123 That is probably the awesomest pre-mission simulation I've ever seen. Can't help but think of the irony, after decades of frettin about invaders from Mars, that Earthings are the one sending a flying saucer to the Red Planet. That is probably the awesomest pre-mission simulation I’ve ever seen. Can’t help but think of the irony, after decades of frettin about invaders from Mars, that Earthings are the one sending a flying saucer to the Red Planet.

]]> By: TPS Reports http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078361 TPS Reports Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078361 I'm sure NASA knows there's no sound in space, so why did they include it? The "effect" is wrong and inaccurate. Sure I have a mute button; what's that got to do with it? I think the absence of sound in space is a better effect. It's cool and weird and not usual for us. Same goes during reentry; there's the atmosphere, and the sound is suddenly there again, too. Snarky early-morning put-down of my no-sound-in-space comment. Wassup boingers? I expected high-fives, not smackdowns! Love to all, TPS I’m sure NASA knows there’s no sound in space, so why did they include it? The “effect” is wrong and inaccurate. Sure I have a mute button; what’s that got to do with it?

I think the absence of sound in space is a better effect. It’s cool and weird and not usual for us. Same goes during reentry; there’s the atmosphere, and the sound is suddenly there again, too.

Snarky early-morning put-down of my no-sound-in-space comment. Wassup boingers? I expected high-fives, not smackdowns!

Love to all,
TPS

]]> By: Satosan http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1097318 Satosan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097318 Ashwin, you're the reason why we keep teaching. We designed our own model rockets when we were in middle school in 1983. I remember your telescope and you talking about space in high school. Now you are at NASA/JPL living the dream. We are both scientists and teachers, hopefully the young people of today we understand the dedication it takes to fullfill your dreams. We are so proud of you and you will be my first space lecture next year. Good Luck. D Ashwin, you’re the reason why we keep teaching. We designed our own model rockets when we were in middle school in 1983. I remember your telescope and you talking about space in high school. Now you are at NASA/JPL living the dream. We are both scientists and teachers, hopefully the young people of today we understand the dedication it takes to fullfill your dreams. We are so proud of you and you will be my first space lecture next year. Good Luck. D

]]> By: Trent Hawkins http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1080207 Trent Hawkins Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1080207 I hope they film the inevitable crash lending in 3d. I hope they film the inevitable crash lending in 3d.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078416 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078416 Aaaa...no more bouncing balloon rover landing! Aaaa…no more bouncing balloon rover landing!

]]> By: Niklas http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078425 Niklas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078425 There is sound in space, it only travels much shorter and does not propagate as much as in denser matter such as liquids and atmospheres of planets. The craft releases gases as a means of propulsion, gases can easily transmit sound. Ergo there is sound, all you need is a very sensitive microphone. Besides that, there are <a href="http://www-pw.physics.uiowa.edu/space-audio/">other sounds of space</a>. What are you going to complain about next? That there are no cameras to capture the descent of Curiosity? There is sound in space, it only travels much shorter and does not propagate as much as in denser matter such as liquids and atmospheres of planets.

The craft releases gases as a means of propulsion, gases can easily transmit sound. Ergo there is sound, all you need is a very sensitive microphone. Besides that, there are other sounds of space.

What are you going to complain about next? That there are no cameras to capture the descent of Curiosity?

]]> By: politeruin http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078681 politeruin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078681 Anyone else really disappointed about no microphones? Just me then. Anyone else really disappointed about no microphones? Just me then.

]]> By: jwong http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078963 jwong Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078963 Ash! My old roomie from UCLA! Cool dude. Proud of you, bud. Good work. Joe Wong Ash! My old roomie from UCLA! Cool dude. Proud of you, bud. Good work.
Joe Wong

]]> By: headcode http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078965 headcode Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078965 Actually, it's most likely due to the atmosphere being way too thin to support anything like that. If it could, they would just use parachutes to land the thing. Actually, it’s most likely due to the atmosphere being way too thin to support anything like that. If it could, they would just use parachutes to land the thing.

]]> By: headcode http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078966 headcode Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078966 "Why not a series of drogue parachutes or gliding entry vehicles?" They most certainly would have used parachutes if they could, but the Martian atmosphere is too thin for that to work with the weight of this rover. “Why not a series of drogue parachutes or gliding entry vehicles?”

They most certainly would have used parachutes if they could, but the Martian atmosphere is too thin for that to work with the weight of this rover.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078721 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078721 Unfortunately, a parachute or gliding system won't work on Mars because the Martian atmosphere is so thin. The thin atmosphere can't push back against the parachute with enough force to effectively slow something as big as the MSL. One of the reasons they are using the skyhook system instead of strapping rockets onto the lander is so chemicals in the rocket exhaust don't contaminate the landing site. Any readings of the chemistry of the Martian surface would be ruined if everything was covered in exhaust fumes. Unfortunately, a parachute or gliding system won’t work on Mars because the Martian atmosphere is so thin. The thin atmosphere can’t push back against the parachute with enough force to effectively slow something as big as the MSL. One of the reasons they are using the skyhook system instead of strapping rockets onto the lander is so chemicals in the rocket exhaust don’t contaminate the landing site. Any readings of the chemistry of the Martian surface would be ruined if everything was covered in exhaust fumes.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078478 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078478 I'm no rocket scientist and I followed along with the conversation as well as I could but I counted no less than 4 discarded stages into the martian surface. I don't understand what all of them are but does no one think that might be excessive? I understand this lander would be heavier than what we have landed on the martian surface previously and the airbag approach is not feasible you say, but I think that all those stages are a LOT of heavy litter to leave around. (Not to mention the potential legal liabilities of bonking one of our reptilian overlords in the head :D ) Why not a series of drogue parachutes or gliding entry vehicles? Great article BTW, I am always pleased to see realistic space exploration plans. I’m no rocket scientist and I followed along with the conversation as well as I could but I counted no less than 4 discarded stages into the martian surface. I don’t understand what all of them are but does no one think that might be excessive?

I understand this lander would be heavier than what we have landed on the martian surface previously and the airbag approach is not feasible you say, but I think that all those stages are a LOT of heavy litter to leave around. (Not to mention the potential legal liabilities of bonking one of our reptilian overlords in the head :D )

Why not a series of drogue parachutes or gliding entry vehicles?

Great article BTW, I am always pleased to see realistic space exploration plans.

]]> By: ioan http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078481 ioan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078481 What's the reason to use thrusters for the lander and not ... some kind of helicopter propeller? What’s the reason to use thrusters for the lander and not … some kind of helicopter propeller?

]]> By: beejamin http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078765 beejamin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078765 Same reason you can't use just a parachute - there's not enough atmosphere for the propellor to push - you've got to bring your own from home! As far as sound goes: Obviously us nerds know there's no sound in space - and what the plume from a cold-gas thruster looks like - but adding the sound of the jets and separation pops helps people work out what's going on. Without sound, the little flashes and vapour cones would be a lot more ambiguous for a lot of people. Same with the shaky-cam - it's just an effect to help convey speed, turbulence, not to mention drama. The goal here is just as much about getting people to understand the process as it is about accuracy. Same reason you can’t use just a parachute – there’s not enough atmosphere for the propellor to push – you’ve got to bring your own from home!

As far as sound goes: Obviously us nerds know there’s no sound in space – and what the plume from a cold-gas thruster looks like – but adding the sound of the jets and separation pops helps people work out what’s going on. Without sound, the little flashes and vapour cones would be a lot more ambiguous for a lot of people. Same with the shaky-cam – it’s just an effect to help convey speed, turbulence, not to mention drama.

The goal here is just as much about getting people to understand the process as it is about accuracy.

]]> By: awjtawjt http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/mars-science-laborat.html#comment-1078266 awjtawjt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078266 Yay! Ashwin is a high school classmate of mine, and a real cool guy! Super smart and down to earth. That's awesome, Xeni! Thanks for this. Yay! Ashwin is a high school classmate of mine, and a real cool guy! Super smart and down to earth. That’s awesome, Xeni! Thanks for this.

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