May I ask the purpose of what looks like a roll out solar panel is? Does it double as a ramp, or is it just a test of a new solar format?
Did Insight settle on whether to include a magnetotelluric survey? Are there estimates of the longevity at the intended landing site? (I'm curious because if long enough, future sensors might work with Insight to triangulate locations for seismic noise -rather than simply noting that predictably - yes, there is seismic noise - for superior interpretation and better science value). Like the original Cerberus proposal Blackstar mentioned.
Now if we could convince NASA to develop a rover with an air compressor to dust off the lander's panels...
might work with Insight to triangulate locations for seismic noise -rather than simply noting that predictably - yes, there is seismic noise - for superior interpretation and better science value). Like the original Cerberus proposal Blackstar mentioned.
Could the roll-out solar array test be inexpensively tacked on to Insight instead?
I think InSight is all we're going to get for a long time. Now depending upon its lifetime, there might be a benefit to trying to cooperate with another country planning a Mars lander. In other words, offer an American seismic instrument for another country's lander, thereby establishing a rudimentary seismic network.
Quote from: Blackstar on 01/02/2014 01:01 amI think InSight is all we're going to get for a long time. Now depending upon its lifetime, there might be a benefit to trying to cooperate with another country planning a Mars lander. In other words, offer an American seismic instrument for another country's lander, thereby establishing a rudimentary seismic network.The seismic instrument is French. At one point, the Russians had it listed as instrument for the stationary lander portion of the 2018 ExoMars mission. I'm not sure of the current status.
It might be better to offer the lander, and have other countries equip it with instruments (and a better camera)
Quote from: go4mars on 12/31/2013 01:43 pmmight work with Insight to triangulate locations for seismic noise -rather than simply noting that predictably - yes, there is seismic noise - for superior interpretation and better science value). Like the original Cerberus proposal Blackstar mentioned. I think InSight is all we're going to get for a long time. Now depending upon its lifetime, there might be a benefit to trying to cooperate with another country planning a Mars lander. In other words, offer an American seismic instrument for another country's lander, thereby establishing a rudimentary seismic network.It's worth noting that a seismic network on Mars was included in the 2007 NOSSE report as a possible New Frontiers mission, but it was later rejected by the decadal survey. So, except for further Discovery class missions, there is no established scientific requirement for a Mars seismic network. The decadal did prioritize a Lunar Geophysical Network for the New Frontiers 5 competition, so it is possible we will get a seismic network on the Moon someday.
Quote from: Dalhousie on 01/02/2014 04:07 amIt might be better to offer the lander, and have other countries equip it with instruments (and a better camera)Speculative, but if FH cores get cheaply reusable, Red Dragon as a platform might fit that context.
Quote from: Dalhousie on 01/02/2014 04:07 amIt might be better to offer the lander, and have other countries equip it with instruments (and a better camera)I assumed the context was that other countries may land on Mars, and if they do so, they are going to want to design their own landers (because that is the point). It is easier to offer up an instrument for somebody else's lander than it is to try and convince them to pay you for your own lander.