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A Sneak Preview of the Mars Science Lab

Posted January 26, 2009 9:39 AM

From Discover Magazine | Space:

Even as the Phoenix Mars Lander completed its mission and sent its last transmission from the frigid Martian arctic last November, NASA engineers were busy getting their next, even more ambitious Mars mission under way. The Mars Science Laboratory will be the most sophisticated and versatile robot ever to touch down on alien soil. The $1.9 billion Mars Science Lab, slated to be launched in the fall of 2011 and to land less than a year later, will carry a six-wheeled, plutonium-powered research vehicle the size of a Mini Cooper. The rover will be packed with scientific goodies:

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Anonymous Poster
#1

Re: A Sneak Preview of the Mars Science Lab

01/26/2009 11:01 AM

Exciting. Although I wonder if it would be worth the trouble to include a simple camera-microscope so that we could just look for creepy-crawlies (living or dead) in the rock / soil samples it takes.

On a semi-related note, this is scheduled to land in 2012. With all the rumors of the world ending in 2012 for various reasons, I suggest a new cause-- this rover. The Martians didn't mind when we landed some stationary radioactive probes or solar roaming ones. But when we start scuttling around on their beaches with this mobile radioactive beastie they're going to get seriously p.o.'d and retaliate.
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not so smart
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: A Sneak Preview of the Mars Science Lab

01/26/2009 12:07 PM

Nah, we don't mind the rovers. They're actually quite fun to ride, as long as we stay out of camera range. And you guys still haven't figured out that we replaced your batteries and charging system on the first ones ( bet you were wondering why they still ran ). We figure that a few minor inconveniences are ok since you folks don't come after us for all those anal probes. OOPS, I've said too much.

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bhankiii
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Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
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#3

Re: A Sneak Preview of the Mars Science Lab

01/27/2009 7:58 AM

I want a plutonium powered Mini Cooper, too!
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Previous in Blog: U.S. Researchers Move Closer to Bendable Screens   Next in Blog: Bomb-proof Concrete
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