[Scukonaher]

Why can't you do that [rockets all the way down] in an atmosphere?

Sorry, what I meant to say was that the sort of design used for spacecraft to land on the Moon (whatever shape you want, plus rockets - see Surveyor or the Lunar Module) couldn't be used to land on the Earth: the sort of speed you'd have when you hit the atmosphere would destroy the spacecraft long before rocket engines could slow you down.

[miel]

http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/7126/7622.aspx

Upon arrival at Mars, a spacecraft is traveling at velocities of 4 to 7 kilometers per second (km/s). For a lander to deliver its payload to the surface, 100 percent of this kinetic energy must be safely removed. Fortunately, Mars has an atmosphere substantial enough for the combination of a high-drag heat shield and a parachute to remove 99 percent and 0.98 percent respectively of the kinetic energy. Unfortunately, the Martian atmosphere is not substantial enough to bring a lander to a safe touchdown. This means that an additional landing system is necessary to remove the remaining kinetic energy.

It's the "additional landing system necessary" that I'm referring to. Landing on the Moon means you don't need the weight of a heatshield and parachutes, nor the reliance on two unrelated systems. Landing on the Earth means (in theory) you don't need the weight of rocket engines. Landing on Mars requires the two (or more) systems, the failure of any of which dooms the landing.

[pharmaclid]

ahhh i thought it was about the mechanics of landing not the mechanics needed for landing.

[10traistintarry]

For those interested in watching/listening to the MSL Curiosity orbital insertion, and landing prodedures see....


Those interested in watching Universe Today’s MSL landing event can find more information and also sign up to “attend” the Hangout on Air here.
The feed will also be available on Universe Today’s YouTube live feed.


Read more: http://www.universetoday.com/96541/j...#ixzz22Ft68A00





http://www.universetoday.com/96541/j...rover-landing/

[jaydicassdhy]

I'm sure all of us to a man [or woman] hope that all goes according to plan....

Around 1130hrs on Monday is when this landing procedure should be taking place.


Thanks also to Peter B for his insightful posts on the reasons for this procedure.

[Ecurrexchangess]

...Thanks also to Peter B for his insightful posts on the reasons for this procedure.

You're welcome.

[Lypepuddyu]

Speed Up, Slow Down

Thursday, August 2, 2012 5:12:47 PM

The art of flying between the planets is a balancing act of gravity, velocity, trajectory and timing. These variables come to a thrilling climax on Sunday evening as Curiosity reaches the Red Planet.

Launched into a trajectory around the sun in November 2011, Curiosity is currently in a solar orbit that just reaches the orbit of Mars. That trajectory means that, from the perspective of the sun, by noon Pacific time on August 1 Curiosity was travelling at 47,500 miles per hour. Yet Mars is travelling at more than 53,000 mph -- some 5,500 mph faster than Curiosity. Left alone, Curiosity would soon begin a slow cruise back towards the orbit of Earth, while Mars would carry on along its own, faster trajectory.

But breathtaking accuracy by the navigation team guiding Curiosity means that Mars will be at the right place Sunday to pick up Curiosity. The planet's gravity will speed up the spacecraft by 13,000 mph (as viewed from the sun) until their speeds match and Curiosity is safely on the surface. On the freeway of interplanetary navigation, Curiosity is the bug, and Mars is the windshield. To get ready for a martian year of exploration, you've got to take a big hit.





Welcome to the Landing Blog

Thursday, August 2, 2012 5:12:16 PM

Welcome to the Curiosity landing blog. I'm Doug Ellison, a visualization producer here at JPL. Our group is responsible for many of the graphics you will see that show how Curiosity has made its way to Mars, and what it will do when it gets there.

The landing animation was a nine-month-long project of obsessing over details of every piece of the spacecraft and its adventure. We've launched a special version of Eyes on the Solar System at http://eyes.nasa.gov that lets you ride with Curiosity all the way to the surface. We've become so familiar with the spacecraft and what it does that we even surprise the mission team themselves sometimes!

On landing night, I'll be in our mission control (the "Dark Room") keeping you up to date with some of the goings-on as Curiosity approaches Mars. Until then I'll post a few little factoids about Curiosity, its trip to Mars, and its epic landing at Gale Crater.




Friday, August 3, 2012 1:43:25 PM

With less than three days to go before touchdown on the Red Planet, Curiosity remains in good health, with all systems operating as expected. Given the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft's consistent and stable course, today the project decided that the planned Trajectory Correction Maneuver 5 (TCM-5) and its corresponding update to parameters for the autonomous software controlling events during entry, descent and landing will not be necessary. As of 12:35 p.m. today PDT (3:35 p.m. EDT), the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft was approximately 468,000 miles (753,200 kilometers) from Mars, or a little less than twice the distance from Earth to the moon. It is traveling at about 8,000 mph (3,576 meters per second). It will gradually increase in speed to about 13,200 mph (5,900 meters per second) by the time it reaches the top of the Martian atmosphere.




The Landing procedure you all should know about from info I and others have supplied in the past.




http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/


I was there actually, and very recently....
Plenty of exitement evident with scientists and workers confidently waiting.
I must stipulate their confidence, even though from a layman's point of view, the Orbital insertion and Landing procedures seem complicated....
Anyway, fingers crossed, legs crossed, toes crossed, let's hope all goes according to plan.

As of 1119hrs, we have 2 Days, 4 hrs 11 minutes to go!

Go you good thing!!!!

[popillio]

The landing event (in Melbourne, with talkers from Monash, Swinburne and SETI/NASA) will be streamed live from www.ustream.tv/channel/vssec from 2 to 5 pm.

[stunnyravytal]

Have it molly....Thanks.

[leijggigf]

Thanks for the clarification, Peter.

Tomorrow (Monday), 1530 is the moment. I will, unfortunately, be on a plane and will have to catch up with the news when I land.

[RaicickKida]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki_Af_o9Q9s


Great video of the landing sequence [which you may or may not have already seen] plus a full explanatory commentary from NASA scientists as to why this seemingly complicated methodology is used.


If it fails?
Well then they need to look at the physics again of landing a craft of above certain mass on the red planet.
If at first you don't succeed, etc.
Naturally their time frame of gathering scientific information from Mars and a manned landing would be set back some.

If it succeeds?
Great!!!
But continued research will obviously be ongoing especially with the goal of a future manned landing.


My wishes and suggestions?
A united Earth endeavour to reach the red planet.
[Despite NASA's continued successes of late, two heads [or more] are always better then one!

[Peabelilt]

Note:
By the time NASA receives signals from Curiosity that it has started atmospheric entry, the Rover will already be either dead or awaiting commands on the Martian surface.

[XKAgustin]

Despite NASA's continued successes of late, two heads [or more] are always better then one! Mars Polar Lander would suggest not always.

[Sowsunese]

Mars Polar Lander would suggest not always.

Any overall successful endeavours will always be sprinkled with some failures.
They of course learned from this failure with the Phoenix lander...
But both anyway [as far as I remember] were NASA endeavours.

[jeargefef]

But both anyway [as far as I remember] were NASA endeavours. Yes, but the Polar Lander shows the type of problems you can have when you get another head involved, as all other heads capable of assisting NASA work in metric.

You said "Two heads are always better than one", I was just pointing out that was not the case.

But I am looking forward to this landing.

[tweriaroats]

Morning CS
There are a couple of Mars Rover Twitter accounts that make for easy following at times
This is one, but I don't know which is best

Curiosity Rover

@MarsCuriosity

NASA's next mission to Mars. I'm currently en route to the Red Planet. Arrival anticipated Aug. 5, 2012.
· http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/

[padlabtard]

Yes, but the Polar Lander shows the type of problems you can have when you get another head involved, as all other heads capable of assisting NASA work in metric.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



LOL!



NASA had already lost another Martian craft through its very own mix ups in cgs and fps measuring systems.
An apparent childish like oversight by someone, but one that I am sure will never happen again.

[zoppereurvito]

The landing event (in Melbourne, with talkers from Monash, Swinburne and SETI/NASA) will be streamed live from www.ustream.tv/channel/vssec from 2 to 5 pm.


from the "How it works" thread.

[Hitfaromarf]

>> lol!

?

[ViagraPriceBuying]

As of 1028 hrs we have 1Day 5hrs 1 minute to go!