ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

joeychitwood · 31 July 2012, 09:30 AM

Launched in November, 2011, the Mars rover Curiosity is approaching the planet, scheduled for a landing at 0130 EDT (US) on August 6th. The landing will be more complex than any previously attempted. It will be incredible if successful, but a lot of things can go wrong during the procedure. The entry into the thin Martian atmosphere and landing will take seven minutes. It takes 14 minutes for radio signals to reach Curiosity from NASA Mission Control. Therefore, there is no chance of making any flight adjustments during the landing.

Click the first photo to see a video of the complex landing plan:

GerardoG · 31 July 2012, 10:40 AM

Thank you for sharing!

Numismatist · 31 July 2012, 10:46 AM

I can't wait, I love this stuff! So cool. Even if it is a giant rock, the ability to do this and control it from so far away is amazing!

Brunotheboxer · 31 July 2012, 10:49 AM

Cool tread.

East Bay Rider · 31 July 2012, 11:02 AM

Boothroyd · 31 July 2012, 11:09 AM

Joey, isn't this the one that is really designed to find out if there was water on Mars' surface in the past? I suppose I could look it up, but something about heavy use of platinum components too?

Boothroyd · 31 July 2012, 11:18 AM

WOW...that one is truly ROCKET SCIENCE! Same link Joey has posted:

azguy · 1 August 2012, 12:45 AM

I love this stuff too

They should have planned better and had it land on July 4th

I'll be on the Mars Rover site everyday

hoping one day I see a little green guy run by and wave

mjclark32 · 1 August 2012, 01:40 AM

Very cool!
Thanks for sharing it

Manofsteelpt · 1 August 2012, 11:39 PM

Awesome post... Love the cosmos!

kilyung · 2 August 2012, 12:03 AM

Makes me miss my NASA days.

joeychitwood · 2 August 2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilyung

Makes me miss my NASA days.

What did you do at NASA?

kilyung · 2 August 2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

What did you do at NASA?

Let's just say I worked on TDRSS.

sarir97 · 2 August 2012, 01:30 AM

Awesome post. Thanks x1000 for sharing!

HORNBLOWER · 2 August 2012, 07:13 AM

when the sky crane drops the lander the sky crane shoots off into space. I assume it becomes space debris?

joeychitwood · 2 August 2012, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HORNBLOWER

when the sky crane drops the lander the sky crane shoots off into space. I assume it becomes space debris?

It is designed to crash back onto the Martian surface well clear of the rover.

Mickey® · 2 August 2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Launched in November, 2011, the Mars rover Curiosity is approaching the planet, scheduled for a landing at 0130 EDT (US) on August 6th. The landing will be more complex than any previously attempted. It will be incredible if successful, but a lot of things can go wrong during the procedure. The entry into the thin Martian atmosphere and landing will take seven minutes. It takes 14 minutes for radio signals to reach Curiosity from NASA Mission Control. Therefore, there is no chance of making any flight adjustments during the landing.

Click the first photo to see a video of the complex landing plan:

Thx! I'm in!!!

joeychitwood · 6 August 2012, 05:53 AM

The rover lands (hopefully) tonight at 0131 EDT US (0531 GMT.) After a nine month flight, the complex landing will occur with the rover behind the planet. However, information from the Curiosity rover will be relayed to Earth via the Mars Odyssey Orbiter, which is going to try to photograph the landing.

316lad · 6 August 2012, 06:03 AM

Indeed very exciting.
The rover will collect unprecedented amounts of data, unlocking a new, deeper understanding of our nearest planet neighbour Mars, which, without too much doubt, we will be the first colonists of one day.

Go NASA! and remember - it's all in the timing!

Makes me proud to be wearing an Omega!

capote · 6 August 2012, 06:16 AM

Cool stuff, its nuclear powered and it will last for like 8 years. That is some engineering

kilyung · 6 August 2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capote

Cool stuff, its nuclear powered and it will last for like 8 years. That is some engineering

Technically, it's a radioisotope thermoelectric generator and not nuclear power like our power plants. It uses Pu-238 as the heat source to create a temperature gradient with the Martian environment across thermoelectric materials to generate electricity.

Kingair · 6 August 2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilyung

Technically, it's a radioisotope thermoelectric generator and not nuclear power like our power plants. It uses Pu-238 as the heat source to create a temperature gradient with the Martian environment across thermoelectric materials to generate electricity.

Ooops . . . . can't this be used to power our Rolex ?

Anyway I am ready to see the landing ;-)

HAGOne

Boothroyd · 6 August 2012, 10:31 AM

Live coverage, for those interested:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57...rover-landing/

Route 66 · 6 August 2012, 10:47 AM

I really, really hope they're able to pull this off but I have my doubts. To me it just seems that there are too many thing that can go wrong. Maybe I'm just a cynic.

If they can do it though, it'll be the biggest success for the U.S. space program since July of 1969!

AmbSteve · 6 August 2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Live coverage, for those interested:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57...rover-landing/

Thanks for the link

Boothroyd · 6 August 2012, 12:30 PM

Wish I could stay up to watch...but tomorrow is a "school' day!

GradyPhilpott · 6 August 2012, 12:38 PM

I must say that as I've seen it described in articles and videos, this is really a blind crap-shoot, except for the science and experience that underpins the effort.

The thing will land on the "dark-side" in a canyon or ravine, so that it will not be visible at anytime and the first affirmation that it has landed safely could take as long as three days.

That's a lot of anticipation.

Then there's the possibility that the thing will not be able to communicate with Odyssey at all due to an unfavorable attitude of the lander.

I sure hope it does all go well. Besides the billions of dollars, there's really a lot at stake here.

It all reminds me of Clarke's three laws, especially the third:

Clarke's Three Laws are three "laws" of prediction formulated by the British writer and scientist Arthur C. Clarke. They are:

1. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.

2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.

3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_three_laws

Boothroyd · 6 August 2012, 02:37 PM

I might play hookie....have to admit, listening to the live feed just now reminds me of being 10 when Apollo 11 went for it, and the all the NASA calls were on national TV and short wave radio....of course, no lives at stake this time.

Boothroyd · 6 August 2012, 02:51 PM

45 minutes to go, all is nominal..."GO"....

sleddog · 6 August 2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

45 minutes to go, all is nominal..."GO"....

Yep...watching and listening to it in the background!!

31 July 2012, 09:30 AM	#1
joeychitwood "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Way Up North USA Watch: Rolexes & Tudors Posts: 6,361	The Mars rover Curiosity set to land on August 6th Launched in November, 2011, the Mars rover Curiosity is approaching the planet, scheduled for a landing at 0130 EDT (US) on August 6th. The landing will be more complex than any previously attempted. It will be incredible if successful, but a lot of things can go wrong during the procedure. The entry into the thin Martian atmosphere and landing will take seven minutes. It takes 14 minutes for radio signals to reach Curiosity from NASA Mission Control. Therefore, there is no chance of making any flight adjustments during the landing. Click the first photo to see a video of the complex landing plan:

31 July 2012, 10:46 AM	#3
Numismatist "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Chris Location: Camden ME & STT Watch: 116600 Posts: 6,350	I can't wait, I love this stuff! So cool. Even if it is a giant rock, the ability to do this and control it from so far away is amazing! __________________ Rolex 116600 Sea-dweller Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White Legrand FP Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White RB Montblanc Meisterstück Diamond Mozart BP Montblanc Meisterstück Mozart BP

31 July 2012, 11:02 AM	#5
East Bay Rider "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Bill Location: East Bay RI Watch: GMT-II 16710LN Posts: 12,073	__________________ I bought a cheap watch from the crazy man Floating down canal It doesn't use numbers or moving hands It always just says "now" Now you may be thinking that I was had But this watch is never wrong And if I have trouble the warranty said Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On J. Buffett Instagram: eastbayrider46

31 July 2012, 11:09 AM	#6
Boothroyd 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Daniel Location: Minneapolis, MN Watch: Wilsdorf(s) Posts: 10,258	Joey, isn't this the one that is really designed to find out if there was water on Mars' surface in the past? I suppose I could look it up, but something about heavy use of platinum components too? __________________ Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N

31 July 2012, 11:18 AM	#7
Boothroyd 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Daniel Location: Minneapolis, MN Watch: Wilsdorf(s) Posts: 10,258	WOW...that one is truly ROCKET SCIENCE! Same link Joey has posted: __________________ Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N

31 July 2012, 10:40 AM	#2
GerardoG Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Real Name: Gerardo Location: Here Watch: ALL of them Posts: 32,098	Thank you for sharing!

31 July 2012, 10:49 AM	#4
Brunotheboxer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Bruno Location: Boston/Cape Cod Watch: 16610,PAM. 111, G Posts: 7,608	Cool tread.

1 August 2012, 12:45 AM	#8
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	I love this stuff too They should have planned better and had it land on July 4th I'll be on the Mars Rover site everyday hoping one day I see a little green guy run by and wave

1 August 2012, 01:40 AM	#9
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Very cool! Thanks for sharing it __________________

1 August 2012, 11:39 PM	#10
Manofsteelpt "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Real Name: Mike Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 3,971	Awesome post... Love the cosmos!

2 August 2012, 12:03 AM	#11
kilyung 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,940	Makes me miss my NASA days.

2 August 2012, 01:30 AM	#14
sarir97 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Mehrdad Location: Scottsdale, AZ Watch: Ω & Rolex Posts: 320	Awesome post. Thanks x1000 for sharing!

2 August 2012, 07:13 AM	#15
HORNBLOWER "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Ben Location: Ireland Watch: 1 OR 2 Posts: 2,640	when the sky crane drops the lander the sky crane shoots off into space. I assume it becomes space debris?

6 August 2012, 05:53 AM	#18
joeychitwood "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Way Up North USA Watch: Rolexes & Tudors Posts: 6,361	The rover lands (hopefully) tonight at 0131 EDT US (0531 GMT.) After a nine month flight, the complex landing will occur with the rover behind the planet. However, information from the Curiosity rover will be relayed to Earth via the Mars Odyssey Orbiter, which is going to try to photograph the landing.

6 August 2012, 06:03 AM	#19
316lad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Posts: 1,642	Indeed very exciting. The rover will collect unprecedented amounts of data, unlocking a new, deeper understanding of our nearest planet neighbour Mars, which, without too much doubt, we will be the first colonists of one day. Go NASA! and remember - it's all in the timing! Makes me proud to be wearing an Omega!

6 August 2012, 06:16 AM	#20
capote "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Real Name: Daniel Location: Sweden Watch: 16570 Posts: 7,315	Cool stuff, its nuclear powered and it will last for like 8 years. That is some engineering

6 August 2012, 10:31 AM	#23
Boothroyd 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Daniel Location: Minneapolis, MN Watch: Wilsdorf(s) Posts: 10,258	Live coverage, for those interested: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57...rover-landing/ __________________ Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N

6 August 2012, 10:47 AM	#24
Route 66 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Steve Location: Burbank, CA Watch: 214270 Mark II Posts: 4,121	I really, really hope they're able to pull this off but I have my doubts. To me it just seems that there are too many thing that can go wrong. Maybe I'm just a cynic. If they can do it though, it'll be the biggest success for the U.S. space program since July of 1969!

6 August 2012, 12:30 PM	#26
Boothroyd 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Daniel Location: Minneapolis, MN Watch: Wilsdorf(s) Posts: 10,258	Wish I could stay up to watch...but tomorrow is a "school' day! __________________ Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N

6 August 2012, 12:38 PM	#27
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK047 Posts: 34,460	I must say that as I've seen it described in articles and videos, this is really a blind crap-shoot, except for the science and experience that underpins the effort. The thing will land on the "dark-side" in a canyon or ravine, so that it will not be visible at anytime and the first affirmation that it has landed safely could take as long as three days. That's a lot of anticipation. Then there's the possibility that the thing will not be able to communicate with Odyssey at all due to an unfavorable attitude of the lander. I sure hope it does all go well. Besides the billions of dollars, there's really a lot at stake here. It all reminds me of Clarke's three laws, especially the third: Clarke's Three Laws are three "laws" of prediction formulated by the British writer and scientist Arthur C. Clarke. They are: 1. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. 2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible. 3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_three_laws __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

6 August 2012, 02:37 PM	#28
Boothroyd 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Daniel Location: Minneapolis, MN Watch: Wilsdorf(s) Posts: 10,258	I might play hookie....have to admit, listening to the live feed just now reminds me of being 10 when Apollo 11 went for it, and the all the NASA calls were on national TV and short wave radio....of course, no lives at stake this time. __________________ Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N

6 August 2012, 02:51 PM	#29
Boothroyd 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Daniel Location: Minneapolis, MN Watch: Wilsdorf(s) Posts: 10,258	45 minutes to go, all is nominal..."GO".... __________________ Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N

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