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Author
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Topic: Mars Rover...Why So Long???
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Rick Boos
Member Posts: 851
From: Celina, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 01-22-2004 03:00 PM
   
Can anyone tell me why it it has been taking the Spirit so long to do everything? When Sojourner landed it went to work right away.I know that Spirit is larger and more complex but still??? When I first read how long it was going to take her to leave the lander I couldn't believe it,and I'm not talking about the airbad/turnaround deal. To me it seems like JPL is being a little super cautious and has wasted a bunch of time that could have been spent on the surface exploring.Especially considering the normal lifetime expectancy factor, and now the "possible" premature ending of receiving useful data. Your thought or answers. |
mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 01-22-2004 03:50 PM
I couldn't agree with you anymore, Rick! It does seem like they should have rolled that baby off the ramp as soon as they could. If I had had my hand on the joystick I'd have been popping wheelies on Mars!But, my opinion is based on limited knowledge. I might know more than the average Joe walking down the street on a lot of subjects, but I've learned that I need to put faith in those who are in charge and have access to more information than I do. It's not always easy to do. Noah |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 01-22-2004 03:57 PM
Right now let's pray that it will be able to do anything at all :-\I think it has to do with the fact that Pathfinder wasn't there do do anything really other than drive and test new technology. Here, the mission is more complex with numerous scientific instruments that have to be tested out before being subjected to use. Don't forget also that while it took 9 days to get rolling, it drives faster and can do more in the same amount of time as Pathfinder. [This message has been edited by Ben (edited January 22, 2004).] |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 01-22-2004 05:21 PM
I'm sure there's plenty of very good reasons they took everything so slowly.That said, watching it roll out I couldn't help thinking of Apollo 11 - "Contingency sample! Get a contingency sample!!" First day off the lander you just want to take a soil analsyis, burn rubber over to the nearest rock and get a quick sample. After that they can take all the time in the world... |
Rick Boos
Member Posts: 851
From: Celina, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 01-22-2004 05:46 PM
Spaced out...Like you I am sure there were plenty of good reasons why it took so long, but as of yet I really haven't heard them explain why. I also agree with you that "I" would have made it a priorty to get a contingency sample right off the bat to be on the safe side. I hope that learned from this and do so on the next landing!Good luck and God speed to the Mars Team! |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 01-22-2004 06:01 PM
You just had to go and say popping wheelies
on Mars, didn't you?
NOW, they've lost contact with the" poppin wheelie" Spirit on Mars? Thanks a lot.... |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-24-2004 02:47 PM
"To me it seems like JPL is being a little super cautious and has wasted a bunch of time that could have been spent on the surface exploring."The problem may, in fact, be the exact opposite - they tried to do too much, too fast. From space.com: "There is a growing feeling here that the robot may have been taxed too much that is, too many "do this, do that" instructions were sent. That multi-tasking could have sparked the problem, according to sources here." FF |
Spaceman_Spiff
Member Posts: 22
From: Beaver Dam, WI
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 01-24-2004 05:50 PM
Well as they say..... better safe than sorry. Let's just hope for the best, and have fun with the next landing. |
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