MSL-Curiosity

I propose a New Forum Title obviously for the New MSL [Mars Science Laboratory] Rover, just like the Phoenix title-with all news under that title. I know its set to launch next year 2011 November...but there is always news popping up worldwide leading to the launch.

FMR, would you set this up if Mark is interested in continuing with future Rovers like the MSL? Please email if you wish, thanks.

If so please add this link to the first post in the new thread title...its from SpaceDaily's inside titles called MarsDaily.

[link]

yt
dx

It looks to me like the descent stage will splatter blobs of debris all over the rover, as we have seen with the Phoenix lander, and the wheels will have a tremendous burden in the climate. Clearly this rover is not designed for multi-year exploration as were the two current rovers.
A new section is a great idea, and I'll be happy to pay for some of the cost this time.
Does Mark agree to that course?

Hi Dana>>>

I also got that same feeling when Phoenix hit the Mars deck and splashes from the thrusters melted the under-soil dirty-ice unto the legs.

Fred had that comment and gave a good example of the phenomena, which is the same as here on Earth. [for all those reading this -take out a frozen [cardboard] can of juice and leave it on the counter for a while and notice the ice droplets forming on the side of the can as the 2 atmospheres [hot and cold-Law of Thermodynamics] interact, then you will know what we are talking about]. This phenomena happened on Phoenix's' legs-unexpectedly. We did have some wild guesses at the time.

As for Curiosity roaming the Martian surface, I am sure some NASA websites as well as, perhaps-Exploratoium or similar sites would be downloading the latest images from experiments done for the world to see. You know as well as I do that America will not hold back any data of this landing or any other.

BTW>>> look up tonight-there are 6 astronauts on the ISS-4 male and 2 female. I can see it in the East around 2 to 5 AM in my area of the world.

I have not heard from FMR or Mark as of this typing.

yt
dx

A closer set of details on the wheels. Up to three years stability claimed, but my bicycle wheels are replaced after use in winter, each year. The cold and salt destroy the non-vucanized rubber inflatible types of thin walled wheels rapidly.
I remember the several sets of metal mesh are being prepared to give lifetime and improve sealing qualities for the tires of the MSL.
Sounds like they need an 'inflator arm' and a gas cylinder for the last year possibly. It will be an education for all of us. I know they tested the systems, and there is a ~40 foot tether between the sky-crane descender and the MSL rover, so it may all work out.

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=633393&id=2&as=false&or=false&qs=No%3D10%26Ntt%3DMSL%26Ntk%3Dall%26Ntx%3Dmode%2Bmatchany%26Ns%3DHarvestDate%257c1%26N%3D0

http://http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=633393&id=2&as=false&or=false&qs=No%3D10%26Ntt%3DMSL%26Ntk%3Dall%26Ntx%3Dmode%2Bmatchany%26Ns%3DHarvestDate%257c1%26N%3D0

Sorry for the delay.
Mark will have to create it . I have directed him to this thread
FMR

big THANX Ree'Chard!

yt
dx

The new forum is up at:

[link]