LIVE: ULA Atlas V - Mars Science Laboratory - Launch Day Updates

[Antares]

I was rewatching the curiosity launch and noticed a thin bent tube rocket firing on the side of the fairing right before fairing sep...what is the engineering and aerospace reasoning for this?

LH2 vent fin

Atlas V launch drinking game: when someone asks this question, drink.  When someone answers accurately, drink.  If Jim is first, drink again.

[Rocket Science]

Just catching up on the post launch coverage... Thanks everyone, great as usual!

[jcm]

Congratulations to the Atlas and MSL teams, and to NSF for its usual excellent coverage.
Onward to Mars!

[landofgrey]

I was on top of the LCC at Kennedy for the MSL launch. Here's a video I shot of the launch. Enjoy!


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/KUuHCCstNOY&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/KUuHCCstNOY&rel=1</a>

[Targeteer]

Why is the US public misinformed about the US space program? NBC news stated in it's coverage of the launch that a "Saturn 5" launched the probe.  I thought I was imagining it until it was verified by the closed caption text.  Sigh... 

[olasek]

Why is the US public misinformed about the US space program? NBC news stated in it's coverage of the launch that a "Saturn 5" launched the probe.  I thought I was imagining it until it was verified by the closed caption text.  Sigh... 

Misinformed is probably too big a word. If it really happened (I admit it borders on comedy) it was someone's stupid error. I don' think NBC has some secret agenda to misinform people about rocket types. Most people probably don't care or don't even know about Atlas V or Saturn V.

[robertross]

I was on top of the LCC at Kennedy for the MSL launch. Here's a video I shot of the launch. Enjoy!


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/KUuHCCstNOY&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/KUuHCCstNOY&rel=1</a>

wicked sound. Have to get down there for one of those launches one day.

Thanks for sharing!

[waf102]

Why is the US public misinformed about the US space program? NBC news stated in it's coverage of the launch that a "Saturn 5" launched the probe.  I thought I was imagining it until it was verified by the closed caption text.  Sigh... 

Ha! You think that's bad...

This morning John Zarrella over at CNN informed those who actually still watch CNN that NASA's budget is ONLY 5 cents on the tax dollar.

Can you imagine?!?! Thanks for the ~10x increase John!

[plutogno]

I like that there are headlines now like this:

"NASA launches largest-ever Mars rover"

"largest-ever" as if to imply that there have been many (just three others)

you forgot the minuscule PrOP-M "walkers" on the Russian landers

[racshot65]

Status report from an engineer

http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=7138&view=findpost&p=180859

[Oersted]

I uploaded NASATV footage of the launch and spacecraft separation for those who might not have been able to see it...

http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwDOTdalsgaardDOTeu#p/c/99E1D3141D8CEF84/0/qOJqDNp2afE

http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwDOTdalsgaardDOTeu#p/c/99E1D3141D8CEF84/1/k9xpePuiqA8

[clongton]

Why is the US public misinformed about the US space program? NBC news stated in it's coverage of the launch that a "Saturn 5" launched the probe.  I thought I was imagining it until it was verified by the closed caption text.  Sigh... 

Ha! You think that's bad...
This morning John Zarrella over at CNN informed those who actually still watch CNN that NASA's budget is ONLY 5 cents on the tax dollar.
Can you imagine?!?! Thanks for the ~10x increase John!

It makes you wonder what the reporters actually do all day. I'm sure there are some good ones out there but the "impression" I get is that the news media has completely given up on accuracy and integrity of reporting. I watch the the world and national news every night at 6:30 out of habit after watching the local news at 6:00 (which I do trust) and every night I catch them in at least 1 glaring error but nobody seems to care. The only thing I get out of each story is that "something" happened. As to the accuracy of what they say - well I don't believe a word they say because half the time it's pretty obvious that they don't have a clue what they are talking about. Just a bunch of high paid talking heads.

[Chris Bergin]

Status report from an engineer

http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=7138&view=findpost&p=180859

Nice. Site owner Doug (who I've met, and is a top bloke) works for JPL now too, but they'll be good with this coast phase as this is their bag.

We'll set up our post S/C Sep style thread on Monday on our new section. We might be able to add something to the party, as we started to get some good L2 info per NPP's post S/C Sep - but we'll be heavily referencing/linking USMF as they are excellent and a friend of NSF.

[ugordan]

Status report from an engineer

That would be Rob Manning.

[Hodapp]

I was rewatching the curiosity launch and noticed a thin bent tube rocket firing on the side of the fairing right before fairing sep...what is the engineering and aerospace reasoning for this? 
My only limited educated guess is for fairing sep stabilization...

Thx.

LH2 vent fin

Thx.  Silly me I forgot that the Centaur stage is enclosed too...
Taken drink