Curiosity has Landed !

[Lowlight]

The Rover Curiosity is safely down on Mars, and was sending pictures through Odyssey within a minute of landing.

What an amazing feat to land a rover the size of a car on the Planet Mars...

 

[NMMX]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Pics or it didn't happen...

Where's the link man? I can't wait to see. Had a family member who did work some work on the first rover. Neat stuff.

 

[hankpac]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

NASA and JPL are both covering it with up to date info. google it.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

http://video.foxnews.com/video-live-streaming.html?video_id=1155606219001

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

What fascinated me about this operation was how complex they had to make the landing process due to the size of the rover. From what I read yesterday, there were multiple stages that all had to go correctly for the rover to land safely. You can read the details for yourself, but during the last stage, a sky crane lowered the rover via ropes and pulleys while hovering 60 feet above the ground. Once the rover landed, the sky crane disengaged the ropes and flew off. And all this was remotely programmed.... Mars is too far away to directly control such an operations.

Considering the first rovers landed on Mars via air bags, this kind of progress certainly seems like technological progress to me.

 

[E. Bryant]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Damn cool work - my hat's off to the fine scientists and engineers who made this amazing feat happen.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Another step for mankind. Now if we just learn to stop fighting...ah but I wax poetic.

 

[Phil1]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What fascinated me about this operation was how complex they had to make the landing process due to the size of the rover. From what I read yesterday, there were multiple stages that all had to go correctly for the rover to land safely. You can read the details for yourself, but during the last stage, a sky crane lowered the rover via ropes and pulleys while hovering 60 feet above the ground. Once the rover landed, the sky crane disengaged the ropes and flew off. And all this was remotely programmed.... Mars is too far away to directly control such an operations.

Considering the first rovers landed on Mars via air bags, this kind of progress certainly seems like technological progress to me. </div></div>

+1
The Large Hadron Collider up and running.
This new Mars lander.

Science is getting exciting.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

I will call BS, they landed it in the breaks on USFS grasslands just 15 miles south of town. That is why there is a pic of a 'squatch' in the background on 1 photo! Drove down and looked it over this morning, can't believe it has Firestone 500 tires on it!!!

Gonna start a conspiracy theory like the Moon landing!

 

[RJW]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

2.5 billion to get the job done.

900 million budget.

All of this for a photo safari of Mars.

WHY!

 

[shankster..]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.5 billion to get the job done.

900 million budget.

All of this for a photo safari of Mars.

WHY! </div></div>

If we find frozen water, we will be able to sustain life on Mars and create fuel by stripping out the hydrogen. Allowing us to discover further into space. Which is probably a pretty good idea considering how we are f&cking up this planet.

 

[Boomholzer]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.5 billion to get the job done.

900 million budget.

All of this for a photo safari of Mars.

WHY! </div></div>

Because exploration for knowledge, <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> for reasons of concouring land and resources; is one of the few things we have to show that us humans are not complete pieces of shit.

It's a national and global goal for understanding. A purpose within mixed and divided religions. A purpose outside of production and consumption.

That is why.

 

[shankster..]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Boomholzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.5 billion to get the job done.

900 million budget.

All of this for a photo safari of Mars.

WHY! </div></div>

Because exploration for knowledge, <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> for reasons of concouring land and resources; is one of the few things we have to show that us humans are not complete pieces of shit.

It's a national and global goal for understanding. A purpose within mixed and divided religions. A purpose outside of production and consumption.

That is why.

</div></div>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Damn, that's deep... I just want to bang an alien bitch.</span>

 

[Boomholzer]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shankster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Boomholzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.5 billion to get the job done.

900 million budget.

All of this for a photo safari of Mars.

WHY! </div></div>

Because exploration for knowledge, <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> for reasons of concouring land and resources; is one of the few things we have to show that us humans are not complete pieces of shit.

It's a national and global goal for understanding. A purpose within mixed and divided religions. A purpose outside of production and consumption.

That is why.

</div></div>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Damn, that's deep... I just want to bang an alien bitch.</span> </div></div>

The search for three tittied chicks is also a well respected goal throughout the universe.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

It really all boils down to this......

 

[RJW]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Old redneck retired farmer and TOP here....have no idea what you are talking about.

Each to his own.

 

[Phil1]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.5 billion to get the job done.

900 million budget.

All of this for a photo safari of Mars.

WHY! </div></div>

When it comes to spending money I wonder about the cost rewards of the International Space station. But I'm not informed enough to analyze the science of it.

http://www.msl-chemcam.com/index.php?men...%20instruments?

Lists the features of Curiosity.

I like the way NASA is headed for future expenditures.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/20...al-spaceflight/
Rather than cost plus contracting of past years.

Then there are Chinese space objectives.

 

[RJW]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

and do you plan to build a hydrogen pipeline back to earth?

 

[Maggot]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shankster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Boomholzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.5 billion to get the job done.

900 million budget.

All of this for a photo safari of Mars.

WHY! </div></div>

Because exploration for knowledge, <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> for reasons of concouring land and resources; is one of the few things we have to show that us humans are not complete pieces of shit.

It's a national and global goal for understanding. A purpose within mixed and divided religions. A purpose outside of production and consumption.

That is why.

</div></div>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Damn, that's deep... I just want to bang an alien bitch.</span> </div></div>


Well Shank, Amy Winehouse is gone, I guess youll have to settle for Niki Minaj or Rosie O'donnell.

 

[spiralseal]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

I got to see the prototype at the Air and Space museum in DC Sat.... the thing is huge!!!!

 

[teknikallysekure]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and do you plan to build a hydrogen pipeline back to earth? </div></div>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvNX72kWODs

 

[RedGoat]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and do you plan to build a hydrogen pipeline back to earth?</div></div>

The purpose would be to fuel a ship there on Mars. So that you could extend the range of space exploration.

Mars = Space Truck Stop

 

[Maggot]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedGoat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and do you plan to build a hydrogen pipeline back to earth?</div></div>

The purpose would be to fuel a ship there on Mars. So that you could extend the range of space exploration.

Mars = Space Truck Stop </div></div>


You mean...

(M)assive(A)merican(R)efill(S)tation

 

[Maggot]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COURAGEWOLF</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RJW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and do you plan to build a hydrogen pipeline back to earth? </div></div>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvNX72kWODs </div></div>

That was truly inspireing, brother. The one comment I have to hold out on is that "The Dream" was inspirred by fear. What dreams can we achieve that need not be driven by fear?

 

[Dogtown]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Here's one to wrap your brain around...

As Phil Plait says:
<span style="font-style: italic">The simple and sheer amazingness of this picture cannot be overstated. Here we have a picture taken by a camera on board a space probe that’s been orbiting Mars for six years, reset and re-aimed by programmers hundreds of millions of kilometers away using math and science pioneered centuries ago, so that it could catch the fleeting view of another machine we humans flung across space, traveling hundreds of million of kilometers to another world at mind-bending speeds, only to gently – and perfectly – touch down on the surface mere minutes later. </span>

 

[0481]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Well if at all we can sent the in there to run it. Once they get there unfunded it.
The pic above is just Awsome why can't we do more good like this.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Why? Cause this chick is there, duh. Gotta be worth a couple billion alone.

 

[my human host]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Space is an incredibly hostile place for humans to go. Still...

I really hope I live long enough to see people set foot on Mars. There is some seriously cool shit out there.

Safe to say the first humans to leave this planet for good will probably go batshit crazy, tho.

 

[KJMOC]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Getting off this planet is the only foolproof long term plan for humanity. Think about that for a second before you respond.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KJMOC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Getting off this planet is the only full-proof long term plan for humanity. Think about that for a second before you respond. </div></div>

After thinking about it for a full 60 seconds, Im wondering if you meant fool proof. The only other viable alternative wouldnt be at all popular. Full scale, zero or even negative, population growth. The bottom line is that there are just too many people for the planet to support at the current and expanding lifestyle. Imagine if every Chinee and Indian (count 2.5 billion) gets an automobile. Or two. Planet wont handle it...so we need to migrate, have plagues and wars and pestilence, or learn to controll ourselves. On the surface it seems a simple choice...

 

[50calibercruiser]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

I think you guys are getting ahead of yourselves regarding utilizing any resources on Mars. There is still plenty here for the taking. Seriously. You realize we will never run out of oil. It will just become so expensive that other forms of energy, although most likely less efficient, will replace it.

But it's always a good idea to prospect a new area before you need it.

 

[Jrb572]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

I hate to say this. I think stuff like this is very interesting. But like a few others. Couldn't the money have been spent better elsewhere ? I guess it was or these scientist would not of had a job.

 

[BALLISTIC]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

As much as I love flight, and space. I think the money would be better spent exploring our oceans rather than space. I am not saying we should stop exploring space, but that the fiscal amounts of the two should be switched.

 

[KJMOC]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: maggot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KJMOC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Getting off this planet is the only full-proof long term plan for humanity. Think about that for a second before you respond. </div></div>

After thinking about it for a full 60 seconds, Im wondering if you meant fool proof. The only other viable alternative wouldnt be at all popular. Full scale, zero or even negative, population growth. The bottom line is that there are just too many people for the planet to support at the current and expanding lifestyle. Imagine if every Chinee and Indian (count 2.5 billion) gets an automobile. Or two. Planet wont handle it...so we need to migrate, have plagues and wars and pestilence, or learn to controll ourselves. On the surface it seems a simple choice... </div></div>

It's actually foolproof. That is what I get for thinking I know better than spell check. Thank you for pointing it out.

Unpopularity wouldn't come into account with the scenario you put forward. The possibility of colonizing another rock is a sure thing, relatively speaking. Although I agree, we need a new plague. There was a US case of the bubonic plague in the news recently.

 

[ddavis]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jrb572</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate to say this. I think stuff like this is very interesting. But like a few others. Couldn't the money have been spent better elsewhere ? I guess it was or these scientist would not of had a job. </div></div>

Like sending it to Pakistan for foreign aid? There is some really ridiculous shit we waste money on that could be better spent. We know as much about space as we do about the depths of our oceans. Exploration is the reason you are reading this, in whatever country you happen to live in. No doubt people thought it was a waste of money to send people west across a vast ocean, only to discover the beautiful country I call home.
-Dan

 

[W54/XM-388]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

Without a vision the people perish.

Most of the world is all busy fighting each other over stupid ideas and greed.

Then a few people look up to the stars and think about how to get there.

We just need something to light a fire under mankinds asses to make them push hard to get into space proper.

 

[teknikallysekure]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jrb572</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate to say this. I think stuff like this is very interesting. But like a few others. Couldn't the money have been spent better elsewhere ? I guess it was or these scientist would not of had a job. </div></div>

The united states military spends more on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan every year than the entire yearly NASA Budget. Some perspective is necessary.

 

[shankster..]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<span style="font-weight: bold">It is completely ironic that persons in this thread think we shouldn't spend the money on space exploration are doing so while using daily technologies either created, enhanced or as an unintended consequence of space exploration.</span>

 

[nauta]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shankster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is completely ironic that persons in this thread think we shouldn't spend the money on space exploration are doing so while using daily technologies either created, enhanced or as an unintended consequence of space exploration.</div></div>
Most of them probably don't even know where the technology they enjoy every day was developed much less appreciate that others had the foresight to fund the research and intelligence to develop the technology. They probably would have been against the government funding the development that led to the internet if they had known about it at the time.

 

[YetiSlayer]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jrb572</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate to say this. I think stuff like this is very interesting. But like a few others. Couldn't the money have been spent better elsewhere ? I guess it was or these scientist would not of had a job. </div></div>

Spent where?? Like it or not, the military and the space program have provided more tangable benefits to this nation than most people ever realize. The space program is a ridiculously miniscule part of the budget and the military is one of the few items that we spend money on that is actually mandated in the Constitution (Provide for the common defence) and yet these are always the first on the chopping block when budget cuts happen. What have these programs done to benefit the nation? In material science alone their impact can probably never really be appreciated. Think about all the lightweight materials that are in many item we own and you can trace many of their roots to the aerospace industry, materials like carbon fiber, lightweight alloys, advanced lubricants and adhesives and on and on. Then lets talk about things like satellite communications, weather forecasting, GPS, the computer revolution, the list is staggering and that is just a few that come readily to mind. The first digital computer was developed to calculate artillary ballistic tables in WWII, and look where that has gone. The internet, originally a DARPA project.

It's funny that we, as shooters, have more directly seen the benefits of R&D in the military and the space program in items that we use in our sport like thermal imaging, night vision, optics and laser rangefinders, but now technologies like FLIR and heads up displays are starting to show up in automobiles. Granted they are in the high end luxury cars now, but how long till they are a low cost options in every car?

Yet, we as a nation, spend staggering and obscene amounts of money at the national and state level on intagible programs that are at best marginally effective and at worst total failures and stifle the very things that made America great. I say spend more money on the space program and take it away from the numerous alphabet agencies that hinder us at every opportunity. At least we have a better chance of getting tangable results. Curousity is a technological marvel that will expand our knowledge and provide benefits long after it has done it job. Just Sayin'...

 

[Yeticowboy]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

I would certainly love to see more of my tax dollars go into the NASA budget instead of some other things the government spends money on. If I say any more I'll probably get banned.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

 

[Maggot]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

</div></div>

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

and we still can't cure cancer.....hmmmm

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

I remember being 14 years old, sitting on my 486 DX2 66Mhz with 4mb of RAM on AOL 4.0 watching the first rover landing in 1997.

What an event that was! Now I can't wait to see what Curiosity has to offer!

 

[vwhugger]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SDWhirlwind</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I will call BS, they landed it in the breaks on USFS grasslands just 15 miles south of town. That is why there is a pic of a 'squatch' in the background on 1 photo! Drove down and looked it over this morning, can't believe it has Firestone 500 tires on it!!!

Gonna start a conspiracy theory like the Moon landing! </div></div>

I figured they used the same set as the lunar landing. Dyed it a bit red and there you is.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I remember being 14 years old, sitting on my 486 DX2 66Mhz with 4mb of RAM on AOL 4.0 watching the first rover landing in 1997.

What an event that was! Now I can't wait to see what Curiosity has to offer!</div></div>

I remember my neighbor buying one of the first Commodore Vic20's, with 3 K of MEMORY!!!! It was the 'talk of the block' at the time. ***

After Choplifter, of course.

This here "Curiosity" is just phenomenal, and would sure like to see more of the same. Now what show/book was it, where they planted some sort of Oxygen generating machine (out of the planet based water) and made the planet 'habitable'?

The dreams of kids, eh?

 

[my human host]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

I think the wide temperature swings and lack of an EM field would be every bit as challenging as the lack of oxygen, but I'm no scientist.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: my human host</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the wide temperature swings and lack of an EM field would be every bit as challenging as the lack of oxygen, but I'm no scientist. </div></div>

Yeah without an EM field, whatever atmosphere we terraform would just blow right away from solar winds and such.

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: Curiosity has Landed !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I remember being 14 years old, sitting on my 486 DX2 66Mhz with 4mb of RAM on AOL 4.0 watching the first rover landing in 1997.

What an event that was! Now I can't wait to see what Curiosity has to offer!</div></div>

I remember my neighbor buying one of the first Commodore Vic20's, with 3 K of MEMORY!!!! It was the 'talk of the block' at the time. ***

After Choplifter, of course.

This here "Curiosity" is just phenomenal, and would sure like to see more of the same. Now what show/book was it, where they planted some sort of Oxygen generating machine (out of the planet based water) and made the planet 'habitable'?

The dreams of kids, eh?</div></div>

I dunno if this is what you are talking about, but the movie Red Planet with Val Kilmer came to mind. They nuked the polar ice caps on Mars to release greenhouse gasses, then seeded portions of the planet with blue and green algae (it generates a large protion ov oxygen here). JS is partially right. A lack of EM field would make terraforming pointless. A thick enough atmosphere would help filter out a lot of the UV radiation. But one sunspot and its all over.

It would be a lot of domed or sealed "habitats" of underground stuff like the original total recall. Not to mention, after a certain period of time, anyone living there would no longer be able to return to Earth. Mars gravity is 1/3 ours. The loss of muscle and bone mass would become so extreme that there would be no way to reverse it. They see it to some degree in astronauts of today. Thats just after a couple weeks.