Curiosity Mars Landing

[Rocky_Shorz]

Curiosity's First Daredevil Stunt
August 2, 2012: When Curiosity enters the Martian atmosphere on August 6th, setting in motion "the seven minutes of terror" that people around the world have anticipated since launch a year ago, the intrepid rover will actually be performing the mission's second daredevil stunt.

The first was completed in July.

For the past nine months, Curiosity has been acting as a stunt double for astronauts, exposing itself to the same cosmic radiation humans would experience following the same route to Mars1.

"Curiosity has been hit by five major flares and solar particle events in the Earth-Mars expanse," says Don Hassler of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. "The rover is safe, and it has been beaming back invaluable data."

http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/08/02/stuntdouble.jpg

Unlike previous Mars rovers, Curiosity is equipped with an instrument that measures space radiation. The Radiation Assessment Detector, nicknamed "RAD," counts cosmic rays, neutrons, protons and other particles over a wide range of biologically-interesting energies. RADs prime mission is to investigate the radiation environment on the surface of Mars, but NASA turned it on during the cruise phase so that it could sense radiation en route to Mars as well.

Curiosity’s location inside the spacecraft is key to the experiment.

"Curiosity is riding to Mars in the belly of the spacecraft, similar to where an astronaut would be," explains Hassler, RAD's principal investigator. "This means the rover absorbs deep-space radiation storms the same way a real astronaut would."

Even supercomputers have trouble calculating exactly what happens when high-energy cosmic rays and solar energetic particles hit the walls of a spacecraft. One particle hits another; fragments fly; the fragments themselves crash into other molecules.

"It’s very complicated. Curiosity has given us a chance to measure what happens in a real-life situation"

http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/08/02/flux_strip.jpg/image_full

full story (http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/02aug_rad2/)


with all the equipment we have out in space measuring energies, we shouldn't have so many mysteries...

[Limor Wolf]

Thank you Rocky_shorz, very interesting. It's amazing that a machine (computure) can be compared to a person when it comes to absorption of radiation so strong. The results are probably only hypothesis, I wouldn't like to be the first astronaut to perform this task.

This news item forms an interesting coincidence for me, only this afternoon I read an article about Boriska, the Martian boy who was filmed by Kerry and Bill at the beggining of the Camelot days. in this article the interviewer who met with him write:

"-Boris, why do our space stations crash before they reach Mars?

-Mars transmits special signals aimed at destroying them. Those stations contain harmful radiation.

I was amazed by his knowledge of this sort of radiation. This is absolutely true. Back in 1988 a resident of Volzhsky - Yuri Lushnichenko, a man with extra-sensory powers - attempted to warn Soviet leaders about the inevitable crash of the first Mars Soviet space stations "Fobos 1" and "Fobos 2".

He also mentioned this sort of an "unfamiliar" and harmful for the planet (Mars) - A radiation threat. He was dismissed as a Fool-Madman.

Obviously, no one believed him then ! "

http://2012world-ends.com/articles/prophecies/Boriska.php


Interesting information from a boy that was only 7 then.

[Operator]

-Mars transmits special signals aimed at destroying them. Those stations contain harmful radiation.


Remote viewing can give valuable insights into happenings on Mars too: Cosmic Voyage by Courtney Brown
Title of chapter 9: Shot from the Sky

It describes what happened to the probe Mars Observer on August 21st, 1993 while it was approaching Mars.
You will be amazed what knowledge was gathered by remote viewing and what is considered 'known' already.

[Rocky_Shorz]

where do we get one of those nuclear Powered SUVs?

if PTB actually is on Mars with Aliens, or planning on moving 1% of us there, then why send these probes at all?

is this our first attempt without them to see if we can do it?

or have we just been going by what they are telling us, so we put our own equipment up there to confirm it before they load the shuttles?


the name says a lot?

why curious if we already know?

[Operator]

where do we get one of those nuclear Powered SUVs?

if PTB actually is on Mars with Aliens, or planning on moving 1% of us there, then why send these probes at all?

is this our first attempt without them to see if we can do it?

or have we just been going by what they are telling us, so we put our own equipment up there to confirm it before they load the shuttles?


the name says a lot?

why curious if we already know?

Keep in mind that there are several competing groups ;)
I think JFK's plan to go to the moon was the parallel attempt to get an idea what they (others) were doing there and didn't tell him.
It wouldn't surprise me a bit if lots of sincere NASA employees believe they are at the pinnacle of technology ...

[Rocky_Shorz]

you know, at first I was thinking it was rude to bring nukes to a deserted planet...

but maybe it is rigged so if anything attacks it, an ignition sequence starts and sets off some insane explosion...


naaa, we're a peaceful folk, we'd never do that... ;)

[ViralSpiral]

you know, at first I was thinking it was rude to bring nukes to a deserted planet...

but maybe it is rigged so if anything attacks it, an ignition sequence starts and sets off some insane explosion...


naaa, we're a peaceful folk, we'd never do that... ;)


http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing010.gif


Love your posts Rocky


http://demotivators.despair.com/demotivational/curiositydemotivator.jpg

[Operator]

you know, at first I was thinking it was rude to bring nukes to a deserted planet...

but maybe it is rigged so if anything attacks it, an ignition sequence starts and sets off some insane explosion...


naaa, we're a peaceful folk, we'd never do that... ;)

It crossed my mind for a minute that folks over there will not be happy with nuclear stuff arriving. After all the "Mars Observer" was
not welcome either which was not even nuclear powered. Why they did allow later missions is not clear. But greys stopped blocking
RV signal too for unknown reason. There is so much attention for this landing, would any triggered violence be used in combination
with fake attacks during the Olympics ? There is no evidence to support that but the timing is somehow perfect.

[Rocky_Shorz]

maybe on Mars they've been saying no one is alive on earth...

if we're dropping in to show them we are here, I guess it wouldn't be out of the question for them to do it for us...

whew...

at least the 4th came quick so we all weren't waiting like we have for this 26,000 year old Calendar... tick tick tick...

[Operator]

maybe on Mars they've been saying no one is alive on earth...

if we're dropping in to show them we are here, I guess it wouldn't be out of the question for them to do it for us...

whew...

at least the 4th came quick so we all weren't waiting like we have for this 26,000 year old Calendar... tick tick tick...

According to RV sessions done by Courtney Brown folks on Mars DO know we exist. They are in trouble and actually need our help.
Refugees from Mars are well and cleverly hidden on earth (South America). "The event" comes to mind ...

[Rocky_Shorz]

well, are we talking a few hundred, million? Billion? joining us?

I like the new show coming out 15 years after the solar flash wiped out the worlds power...

life continues...

the writers must be dropping by Avalon for ideas, it is a survival training for TV viewers...

[Operator]

well, are we talking a few hundred, million? Billion? joining us?

You mean refugees ? Courtney was talking about hundreds or thousands or so ...
I only b.t.w. reflect what I have read. The book is pretty convincing but there is no hard evidence.
Here we have to rely that other verifiable RV results have been accurate and so these results most probably are too.

[Ernest]

Since there already was a thread I'll remove my "announcement"-post.

[GlassSteagallfan]

It will be landing at 1:31 am EDT, 10:31 pacific time

nasa tv
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

jpl california
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/

curiousity
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/participate/

[NASA]

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/gallery/communicating-full-br_160X120.jpg (http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/display.cfm?News_ID=40263)5 Aug 2012 - Curiosity Rover Just Hours from Mars Landing
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft is healthy and right on course for a landing in several hours that will be one of the most difficult feats of robotic exploration ever attempted.


More... (http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/display.cfm?News_ID=40263)

[Harley]

The SETI Institute is also broadcasting live from NASA Ames Research Center.
https://plus.google.com/events/c5otcpguo0im3qmgblsf1fadeqs/108759765804984663877

Live Video from You Tube:
DgqD91PAdsE

Hoping for intelligent microbes maybe?

:)

[steveofengland]

I'm watching live in the UK, its 04.35 am I crazy?
Currently Will I Am is on saying science is cool!

[Rocky_Shorz]

passing through the seven minutes of terror now...

[Star Tsar]

I reckon its already there waiting to be powered on!
I smell a funding stunt...
;)

[Rocky_Shorz]

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/667373main1_MSL%20EDL%20rev-427.jpg

everyone is waiting for communication from the Rover...

they say it is 5 minutes through the 7 minute zone

¤=[Post Update]=¤

touchdown!!!

mission accomplished...

[GoodETxSG]

Sweet, it actually landed. I had serious doubts with the complicated landing method. Good for JPL.

[Hip Hipnotist]

Wouldn't connect to the site.

Gee, do you suppose NASA took the site down because the rover landed and was greeted by our Mars space brethren -- or perhaps some earthly humans that did get 'their ticket' but were too stupid to stay out of camera range and blew their cover?

Nah.

My browser just wouldn't connect.

Dang. ;-)

[Star Tsar]

Why are the images in greyscale?
As per usual Never A Straight Answer!
:mad2:

[GoodETxSG]

Wouldn't connect to the site.

Gee, do you suppose NASA took the site down because the rover landed and was greeted by our Mars space brethren -- or perhaps some earthly humans that did get 'their ticket' but were too stupid to stay out of camera range and blew their cover?

Nah.

My browser just wouldn't connect.

Dang. ;-)

You mean you missed the two guys walking up in shorts and sandals cleaning the camera lense? LOL ;)

[GoodETxSG]

I agree, I am one of you fellow Space Science Geeks staying up late to see a bunch of other space sci geeks cheer over some blk and white photos after a crazy choice of a landing sequence. I really didn't expect that sucker to land well with all of the variables.

[Airwooz]

It landed in Arizona desert... :gossip:

[ThePythonicCow]

Curiosity will be landing soon
I merged the "Curiosity" thread into the existing "Curiosity Mars Landing" thread.

¤=[Post Update]=¤



touchdown!!!

mission accomplished...

Cool - thanks for the update!

[Hervé]

Why are the images in greyscale?
As per usual Never A Straight Answer!
:mad2:

If you had read what they published on their site re: Curiosity, you would know the answer...

Check it out here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120803.html

The "Home" page: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html

[Star Tsar]

Why are the images in greyscale?
As per usual Never A Straight Answer!
:mad2:

If you had read what they published on their site re: Curiosity, you would know the answer...

Check it out here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120803.html

Errrrrrm Paul has only just merged this thread!
Besides that I don't believe everything I read or not as the case may be.
Thanks for the link but even still why design a camera which will take your very first image to only take a greyscale image?
Wierd logic to me.

[Hervé]

Why are the images in greyscale?
As per usual Never A Straight Answer!
:mad2:

If you had read what they published on their site re: Curiosity, you would know the answer...

Check it out here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120803.html

Errrrrrm Paul has only just merged this thread!
Besides that I don't believe everything I read or not as the case may be.
Thanks for the link but even still why design a camera which will take your very first image to only take a greyscale image?
Wierd logic to me.

I guess you still need to READ the article I linked:



The car-size rover's very first images will come from the one-megapixel Hazard-Avoidance cameras (Hazcams) attached to the body of the rover. Once engineers have determined that it is safe to deploy the rover's Remote Sensing Mast and its high-tech cameras, a process that may take several days, Curiosity will begin to survey its exotic surroundings.

"A set of low-resolution gray scale Hazcam images will be acquired within minutes of landing on the surface," said Justin Maki of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "Once all of the critical systems have been checked out by the engineering team and the mast is deployed, the rover will image the landing site with higher-resolution cameras."

[Wind]

The only question in my mind is right now... Why they want us to focus on this now? There is always an agenda behind it.

[Star Tsar]

Why are the images in greyscale?
As per usual Never A Straight Answer!
:mad2:

If you had read what they published on their site re: Curiosity, you would know the answer...

Check it out here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120803.html

Errrrrrm Paul has only just merged this thread!
Besides that I don't believe everything I read or not as the case may be.
Thanks for the link but even still why design a camera which will take your very first image to only take a greyscale image?
Wierd logic to me.

I guess you still need to READ the article I linked:



The car-size rover's very first images will come from the one-megapixel Hazard-Avoidance cameras (Hazcams) attached to the body of the rover. Once engineers have determined that it is safe to deploy the rover's Remote Sensing Mast and its high-tech cameras, a process that may take several days, Curiosity will begin to survey its exotic surroundings.

"A set of low-resolution gray scale Hazcam images will be acquired within minutes of landing on the surface," said Justin Maki of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "Once all of the critical systems have been checked out by the engineering team and the mast is deployed, the rover will image the landing site with higher-resolution cameras."

1 megapixel image is stored with 24-bit color (8 bits for red, 8 bits for green, and 8 bits for blue)

[TargeT]

1 megapixel image is stored with 24-bit color (8 bits for red, 8 bits for green, and 8 bits for blue)

really?...

It means 1million pixels

It's a resolution measurement.. The higher it is the more detailed the image will be, or at least the details will be clearer...

Has zero relation to color bit rates, why would accident avoidance cameras even need color? That's actually harder to code for, black/white or grey scales is much easier.

[steveofengland]

Guess who fell asleep! I was awoken by the whoops andd cheers. Stayed up all night to see part of a wheel and some desert. Then fell asleep again. Oh well.

[Dorjezigzag]

Curious ;) that the remake of 'Total Recall' a movie about going to Mars opened this weekend

[WhiteFeather]

"Emotions are strong in the control room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif."
Emotions ehh!!!!!.....Why dont i believe anything that this 3 ring circus sideshow space program says?

[TargeT]

Curious ;) that the remake of 'Total Recall' a movie about going to Mars opened this weekend

The remake removed the mars portion, which was disapointing really..

though its worth a watch for other elements.

[bennycog]

ustream event.. questions and footage

http://worldsciencefestival.com/webcasts/curiosity_rover_uninterrupted

[Rocky_Shorz]

looking forward to the color images...

it takes 2 days to raise the shaft the camera sits on?

[CD7]

It landed in Arizona desert... :gossip:


In the 40's....:gossip:

[ThePythonicCow]

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/gallery/communicating-full-br_160X120.jpg (http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/display.cfm?News_ID=40263)5 Aug 2012 - Curiosity Rover Just Hours from Mars Landing
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft is healthy and right on course for a landing in several hours that will be one of the most difficult feats of robotic exploration ever attempted.
I merged this NASA derived thread in with the main thread covering the Curiosity landing on Mars.

[DarMar]

here comes alienz! :phone:

http://i.imgur.com/rWfp3.jpg

[SilentFeathers]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a3cuuXSuAAw/UCOpi2AbvjI/AAAAAAAACYA/SADZGDzB5ik/s640/mars%2520go%2520home.jpg