New Mars rover landing tonight

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August 5th, 2012 at 9:35 PM
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Dreisbach Turne...
Dreisbach Turner Overdrive's picture
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New Mars rover landing tonight

The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity will be landing on Mars tonight at 1:30am. Mission status at the link below.

http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/msl/status.html

Definitely not OT since Michigan is very well represented at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and working MSL.

Also, the Sample Analysis Module on MSL carries electronics built by UofM.

http://www.sprl.umich.edu/projects/SAM/index.php

MSL is about twice as long (about 9 feet) and four times as heavy as NASA’s previous Mars Exploration rovers. It will carry equipment to gather samples of rocks and soil, crush them, and then distribute them to onboard test chambers inside MSL’s analytical instruments. One of the most critical of these instruments, the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite (SAM), carries electronics designed and built by the space Physics Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan.

Space bitches, space.

Syracuse '03, Michigan G'05

Space bitches, space.

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August 5th, 2012 at 9:46 PM | NASA released a short video (Score:4 Normal)
turd ferguson
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NASA released a short video called "Seven Minutes of Terror" (or something similar) that's well worth a look. I'll post it when I'm off my phone and on my laptop.

August 5th, 2012 at 9:52 PM | I got ya covered.  (Score:5 Normal)
WMUgoblue
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I got ya covered. 

Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.

August 5th, 2012 at 9:57 PM | Ah, thanks.  I appreciate (Score:5 Normal)
turd ferguson
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Ah, thanks.  I appreciate this even more given that it looks like your avatar just said it.

August 5th, 2012 at 11:50 PM | Awesome to the MAX. Must get (Score:3 Normal)
zeda_p
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Awesome to the MAX.

Must get That Guy's points up to 1980.

August 5th, 2012 at 10:06 PM | That's a nice hype video. (Score:1)
maizenblue87
Joined: 06/22/2011
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That's a nice hype video. Thanks.

August 6th, 2012 at 9:11 AM | Video title (Score:2 Normal)
aroberts36
Joined: 04/30/2010
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I know the title is talking about how long it takes to land once it hits the atmosphere but I chuckled when I saw a video titled "Seven Minutes of Terror" that is 5 minutes long...


August 5th, 2012 at 10:15 PM | Interestingly they released a (Score:3 Normal)
nikj
Joined: 01/04/2009
MGoPoints: 1099

Interestingly they released a video about the last landing called "Six Minutes of Terror".  Still pretty cool, but I think they recycled some of those graphics.

 

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

August 5th, 2012 at 9:49 PM | Over/under (Score:-1 Flamebait)
August 5th, 2012 at 9:54 PM | Of the two Mars Exploration (Score:5 Normal)
Dreisbach Turne...
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Of the two Mars Exploration Rovers landed in 2003, Spirit ran for over 6 years, Opportunity is still working.

Syracuse '03, Michigan G'05

Space bitches, space.

August 6th, 2012 at 8:26 AM | So... (Score:5 Normal)
BiSB
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You're saying the O/U is 7.5 years.

They no longer call me Bisbiño

August 6th, 2012 at 9:26 AM | I'll take the under (Score:3 Normal)
lakeside
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given that NASA is aiming for 2 years of ground operations. 

Man ball. Formerly, somebody else.

August 5th, 2012 at 9:59 PM | Damn I wish we'd launch a (Score:3 Normal)
mGrowOld
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Damn I wish we'd launch a manned mission to Mars.  I was nine years old when we landed on the moon and I can still remember vividly my late Mother waking me up to see it.  I know from a purely scientific standpoint unmanned missions are considered vastly superior and certainly more cost effective but I can think of precious few accomplishments by mankind that would rival setting foot on another planet.

 

 

August 5th, 2012 at 10:08 PM | They're building one (Score:5 Normal)
BlastBeat88
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As much as I hate the thing, NASA MSFC is currently building the SLS, which is basically a vamped-up Saturn V that's supposed to put dudes on Mars. Launch date later this decade from first estimates.

There are many, many more effective and efficient ways to pursue manned missions to Mars, but for some reason Congress has direct control not only over the mission objectives of NASA, but also over how they accomplish them. As if any of them know anything about the subject. I hope this doesn't get too close to politics.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has already stated his desire to retire on Mars, so there are several forces pushing towards this goal.

No excuses. Play like a champion.

http://www.gundaymonday.com

August 5th, 2012 at 11:53 PM | handicap it? (Score:2 Normal)
superstringer
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Elon's ship gets there 30 years before Nasa. He already knows how he's going to do it. He has a master plan. This isnt hype, its fact. Falcon9, Dragon, Falcon9 Heavy... its a steady march for him.

August 6th, 2012 at 7:20 AM | It's called "this is the best choice because (Score:3 Normal)
maizenbluenc
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it funds companies in my district."

We have the same exact problem with the defense budget. The military tells Congress what they need, and then Congress tells the military what is best for them. What's best always aligns closely with the peanut butter being spread in many key congressional districts.

Dangerously close to the no politics third rail I know, but it has been this way forever, regardless of who controls the House or the Senate. So I guess that makes it apolitical in a way.

August 5th, 2012 at 10:33 PM | go listen to the nerdist podcast (Score:3 Normal)
tricks574
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The bill nye episode. They discuss this mission a lot and just space in general. The big problem with a manned mission is the length of time you would be exposed to cosmic radiation and zero gravity. Not insurmountable problems, but nothing we really have practical solutions for at the moment. Although he didsay they were going to shoot some water bears up to a moon sometime.

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For all of your obscure college wrestling blog needs

August 6th, 2012 at 10:54 AM | Get your ass to Mars. (Score:2)
M-Wolverine
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Get your ass to Mars.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

August 5th, 2012 at 10:04 PM | Grasping at straws... (Score:1)
Ernis
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Can we get a live feed?

August 5th, 2012 at 10:09 PM | NASA TV or use the link I (Score:2 Normal)
Dreisbach Turne...
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NASA TV or use the link I have above to watch online.

Syracuse '03, Michigan G'05

Space bitches, space.

August 6th, 2012 at 12:06 AM | Live feed (Score:3 Normal)
Frito Bandito
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http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

Bears Beets Battlestar Galactica

August 5th, 2012 at 10:15 PM | That's nothin I used to build (Score:5 Normal)
evenyoubrutus
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That's nothin I used to build model rockets all the time. It was easy

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

August 6th, 2012 at 11:05 AM | Same here (Score:2 Funny)
HartAttack20
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It was all fun and games until my dad lit our neighbor's field on fire.

I can only continue to reference the fact that I live in an onion factory.

August 5th, 2012 at 10:17 PM | There's a pretty cool (Score:2)
mgobleu
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There's a pretty cool simulator you can follow in real time or use in preview mode to get a visual, albeit a bit cartoonish, on the mission.

http://eyes.nasa.gov/launch2.html?document=$SERVERURL/content/documents/msl/edl.xml 

August 5th, 2012 at 10:41 PM | i hope (Score:2 Normal)
alanmfrench
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it doesn't get crushed by a decepticon.

“Well, I was this close to bringing a sinner to Jesus, and now he is consigned to eternal damnation. I hope that you’re happy.” - Boyd Crowder, Justified

August 5th, 2012 at 10:41 PM | Now what?   (Score:3 Normal)
mgobleu
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Now what?

 

August 5th, 2012 at 11:18 PM | Curiosity's landing, now with (Score:4 Normal)
M Fanfare
Joined: 08/17/2008
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Curiosity's landing, now with 100% more Captain James Tiberius Kirk:

Hail to the college whose colors we wear,

Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!

August 5th, 2012 at 11:54 PM | Somehow, (Score:2)
rob f
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"Captain Kirk"/Shatner pulls it off with that narrative style of his to enhance the description of how the landing sequence will proceed.   I have to admit, I got chills about the time he was describing how the cords would be cut and Curiosity would softly land as its landing propulsion system  rockets off a safe distance.  Thanks for finding and posting that video!

August 6th, 2012 at 12:15 AM | Truly an historic day! (Score:1)
WingsNWolverines
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The biggest issue we have with a manned Mars mission is the delay in communication between the craft and ground control. There is a 14 minute delay in signal so if there is an issue with our astronauts and the crew they are on their own. :/ Scary and dangerous stuff but someday man will step foot on Mars. Im watching the feed on NASA TV right now. Very excited :)

We hate Michigan State. We don't like Penn State too. We don't care for Minnesota, Wisconsin or Notre Dame but we all hate O-S-U.

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August 6th, 2012 at 12:21 AM | Do you say historic with a silent h? (Score:1 Normal)
JCV16
Joined: 06/29/2011
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If not, a historic.

Tremendous!

August 6th, 2012 at 12:46 AM | Does it really matter? (Score:1)
WingsNWolverines
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This is historic, period. Say it anyway you want idc. This is a day of truly incredible opportunities. Its why I love NASA.

We hate Michigan State. We don't like Penn State too. We don't care for Minnesota, Wisconsin or Notre Dame but we all hate O-S-U.

Michigan Blue 2008 block M hockey jersey still for sale for 50.00. FREE S/H

August 6th, 2012 at 12:30 AM | I was just watching and (Score:2)
Frito Bandito
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They were saying that if the rover landed on a slope it could over shoot signals to the satellite.. Do they really having nothing to counter that?

Bears Beets Battlestar Galactica

August 6th, 2012 at 12:19 AM | So cool (Score:3 Normal)
BIGBLUEWORLD
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So cool NASA.  Stick the landing like Olympic champions.  See ya on Mars.

its a big blue world

August 6th, 2012 at 12:52 AM | If anyone has an Xbox 360 and (Score:3 Normal)
dlcase1708
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If anyone has an Xbox 360 and wants to watch, you can for free with Xbox Live, it's on the home page.  This is so cool.

August 6th, 2012 at 12:58 AM | Come on (Score:3 Normal)
Griff88
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Come on Curiosity, you got this...

August 6th, 2012 at 12:59 AM | 14 minute delay I'd be pulling my (Score:2 Normal)
WingsNWolverines
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hair out if I was in mission control lol That is a LONG time to wait.

We hate Michigan State. We don't like Penn State too. We don't care for Minnesota, Wisconsin or Notre Dame but we all hate O-S-U.

Michigan Blue 2008 block M hockey jersey still for sale for 50.00. FREE S/H

August 6th, 2012 at 1:02 AM | Hey, I'm eating peanuts, (Score:1)
I Bleed Maize N Blue
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Hey, I'm eating peanuts, too!  I had no idea they were lucky.

Michigan Resurgent?  Michigan Resurgent!

The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!

August 6th, 2012 at 1:20 AM | Now I understand why NASA (Score:3 Normal)
WMUgoblue
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Now I understand why NASA didn't give me any feedback on my resume, damn peanut allergy.

Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.

August 6th, 2012 at 1:29 AM | Whoop Whoop (Score:2)
Frito Bandito
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Bears Beets Battlestar Galactica

August 6th, 2012 at 1:32 AM | CURIOSITY HAS LANDED!!! (Score:2 Normal)
WingsNWolverines
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Another awesome moment for NASA :)

We hate Michigan State. We don't like Penn State too. We don't care for Minnesota, Wisconsin or Notre Dame but we all hate O-S-U.

Michigan Blue 2008 block M hockey jersey still for sale for 50.00. FREE S/H

August 6th, 2012 at 1:33 AM | Commence nerd orgy. (Score:2 Normal)
Frito Bandito
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Commence nerd orgy.

Bears Beets Battlestar Galactica

August 6th, 2012 at 1:34 AM | I'm eating peanuts during every game this year (Score:5 Normal)
토린
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August 6th, 2012 at 1:36 AM | That was epic. (Score:3 Normal)
WMUgoblue
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That was epic.

Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.

August 6th, 2012 at 1:36 AM | Mars, bitches.      (Score:2 Normal)
ixcuincle
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Mars, bitches. 

 

 

August 6th, 2012 at 1:38 AM | WOOOOOOOOOOOO (Score:2)
BlastBeat88
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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

No excuses. Play like a champion.

http://www.gundaymonday.com

August 6th, 2012 at 1:39 AM | The Intergalactic Olympics (Score:3 Normal)
Michigasling
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This trumps beach volleyball.

August 6th, 2012 at 1:43 AM | I have no shame in admitting (Score:2 Normal)
emozilla
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I have no shame in admitting that the landing made me tear up.

August 6th, 2012 at 1:45 AM | That shadow picture is (Score:1)
Clarence Beeks
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That shadow picture is totally awesome.

August 6th, 2012 at 1:49 AM | Once again, I'm very thankful (Score:1)
Clarence Beeks
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Once again, I'm very thankful that DirecTV has the NASA channel. So awesome that I could watch all of this on TV instead of on a computer screen!

August 6th, 2012 at 1:50 AM | First two images from (Score:5 Informative)
finch
Joined: 01/09/2011
MGoPoints: 34

First two images from Curiousity:

August 6th, 2012 at 7:48 AM | Wow worth 10 trillion! (Score:1)
Roachgoblue
Joined: 08/29/2011
MGoPoints: 1477

Thanks NASA! Keep up the wise spending. I know, they invented many things from space that couldn't have been invented on earth. I hate tang though, and I am an aeronautical freak. I have flown on and worked on most every Boeing and Airbus, B 52, tankers, C 141, C 5, I have my FAA A&P, FCC w/ Radar, but never saw the value of the money put into NASA. I am no longer in the aviation world and miss it. If the pay was over 100k, and the industry was stable I would go back. NASA really wasted trillions that the private sector could have done much more with the money.

[Caved troll is caved. Sorry, Mobile app users.]

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