Chris, For those of us who attended the launch what is the appropriate thread to upload photos, and reaction too?
Here's another site where progress can be trackedhttp://www.dmuller.net/spaceflight/realtime.php?mission=msl&mode=scet
A report from Space.Com states that a set of drill bits carried by the Curiosity rover, that planetary protection measures were not adhered to. All NASA spacecraft sent to other planets must undergo meticulous procedures to make sure they don't carry biological contamination from Earth to their destinations.http://www.space.com/13783-nasa-msl-curiosity-mars-rover-planetary-protection.html
Quote from: Rocket Science on 12/01/2011 11:45 amA report from Space.Com states that a set of drill bits carried by the Curiosity rover, that planetary protection measures were not adhered to. All NASA spacecraft sent to other planets must undergo meticulous procedures to make sure they don't carry biological contamination from Earth to their destinations.http://www.space.com/13783-nasa-msl-curiosity-mars-rover-planetary-protection.html Sounds like the procedure was fine as far as insuring no contamination. They just didn't follow the protocol for having it approved.
where can I find the picture showing real time position of MSL looking from above the solar system? Thanks!
"This was among the most accurate interplanetary injections ever," said Louis D'Amario of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Dec 1 update...http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-371Quote"This was among the most accurate interplanetary injections ever," said Louis D'Amario of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Way to go Atlas/Centaur!
Anyone have any data for MSL TCM-1 due 10 December 2011 yet ?
Quote from: Apollo-phill on 11/30/2011 07:03 pmAnyone have any data for MSL TCM-1 due 10 December 2011 yet ?Rumor has it that MSL entered safemode due to a thruster issue and the first TCM has been pushed back. Anyone here have insight into this?
UMSF reports that the TCM was canceled because of an accurate launch, and the TCM was not needed. The safemode was caused by a star-tracker software issue. They have recovered from safemode, with the exception of the start-tracker problem, which does not appear to be serious.
Quote from: GuessWho on 12/02/2011 11:32 amQuote from: Apollo-phill on 11/30/2011 07:03 pmAnyone have any data for MSL TCM-1 due 10 December 2011 yet ?Rumor has it that MSL entered safemode due to a thruster issue and the first TCM has been pushed back. Anyone here have insight into this?If you read the press release from the beginning till the end, both your questions will be answered.Quote from: kenny008 on 12/02/2011 02:13 pmUMSF reports that the TCM was canceled because of an accurate launch, and the TCM was not needed. The safemode was caused by a star-tracker software issue. They have recovered from safemode, with the exception of the start-tracker problem, which does not appear to be serious.No need to quoted secondary sources. All that information is in the press release if, again, you read it till the end.
was the velocity sun relative or earth relative?
Could, however, the kick-up of martian regolith during firing of the 'Skycane thrusters' confuse' the altitude attitude sensors perhaps - therefore - releasing MSL too high from ground even if only a few centimtres?
They measure the arc of the transfer trajectory in the sun-relative frame so it makes sense to measure the travelled distance in the same frame.
What drop are you talking about? Look at the EDL sim video. It's basically going to be a constant velocity phase landing similar to what Phoenix executed. The vehicle suspension and wheels are there to provide shock absorption. As Rob Manning said, it should be the smoothest planetary landing to date.
Quote from: ugordan on 12/02/2011 05:25 pmWhat drop are you talking about? Look at the EDL sim video. It's basically going to be a constant velocity phase landing similar to what Phoenix executed. The vehicle suspension and wheels are there to provide shock absorption. As Rob Manning said, it should be the smoothest planetary landing to date.I wondered whether the sensors detecting 'ground surface' could be 'confused' by any dust kickup and thereby releasing the skycrane deployment vehicle before it actually touched hard surface leaving a few centimetres fall .If on flattis ground probably not a problem with - as you say - it has suspension but if on a sloping ground might be more a problem.Are any MSL EDL PDFs around in public domain describing the process in detail ?A-P
Quote from: ugordan on 12/02/2011 05:03 pmThey measure the arc of the transfer trajectory in the sun-relative frame so it makes sense to measure the travelled distance in the same frame. I wonder if I can get accounting to fall for that when I turn my mileage report in.
"........As planned, MSL does not have a direct means of sensing Rover touchdown; a software logic is employed instead.
No, the sensors detect the weight on the bridle which determines landing
Makes me wonder though if there are any bumps in deployment of the bridle that could inadvertently cause a slack reading?
Quote from: Pheogh on 12/02/2011 08:32 pmMakes me wonder though if there are any bumps in deployment of the bridle that could inadvertently cause a slack reading?After Mars Polar Lander, I'm pretty sure that's one failure mode you won't be seeing in the near future.
I have heard that there were or have been computer problems with MSL. What's the story about that because I have not seen or read anything else than this English text so far in the German space forum?Quote quoted from German Forum 'Raumcon': "The spacecraft experienced a computer reset on Tuesday apparently related to star-identifying software in the attitude control system. The reset put the spacecraft briefly into a precautionary safe mode. Engineers restored it to normal operational status for functions other than attitude control while planning resumption of star-guided attitude control."Regards, Chris
it isn't a problem with the computers but a star tracker issue.
Quote from: Jim on 12/05/2011 06:28 pmit isn't a problem with the computers but a star tracker issue.So what is the consequence of that? MSL can't navigate anymore? Can they fix it?
Quote from: Apollo-phill on 12/02/2011 07:23 pm"........As planned, MSL does not have a direct means of sensing Rover touchdown; a software logic is employed instead.Quote from: Jim on 12/02/2011 07:49 pmNo, the sensors detect the weight on the bridle which determines landingCan both of these be correct in some way I'm not seeing?
Ok so if I understand this correctly what actually causes the bridle cut is that the DS senses a difference in thrust requirement based on the when the lander touches the surface it is no longer carrying that load, correct? Makes me wonder though if there are any bumps in deployment of the bridle that could inadvertently cause a slack reading? Of course I am sure they have covered all anomalies, still would love to a ton more about the systems development.
A little interesting news on MSL, looks like they will try to image MSL hanging of the Skycrane using the HiRISE camera on MRO. Mars Orbiters Will Attempt To Take Pictures Of Curiosity As It LandsIf the pull it off, it could be the best picture ever.
It won't top Phoenix under its parachute simply because of the resolution and contrast (big white/red parachute against the background vs a small hunk of metal).
Quote from: ugordan on 12/09/2011 03:25 pmIt won't top Phoenix under its parachute simply because of the resolution and contrast (big white/red parachute against the background vs a small hunk of metal).It might be possible to get both the parachute and MSL doing the skycrane maneuver. The parachute isn't going to disappear instantly, and the field of view is necessarily large.Not only that, but the MSL parachute ought to be almost twice the diameter as the Phoenix parachute (>3 times the area). And the hunks of metal should also be bigger.
I wonder also if they would be able to slew the spacecraft quickly and take more than one picture. Did they take more than one for Phoenix?
By the way, Emily Lakdawalla had a great article on the challenge of capturing Phoenix on HiRISE, along with some some detailed information about the camera system from one of the HiRISE optical engineers:http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001547/
Quote from: Apollo-phill on 12/02/2011 07:23 pm"........As planned, MSL does not have a direct means of sensing Rover touchdown; a software logic is employed instead. ... the DS...is forced to follow this constant velocity vertical trajectory.(After the rover has landed...) A continuation of the DS motion requires less force. It is this change in the force command which is monitored (with a persistence check) to declare touchdown. Upon receiving this indication, a bridle cut is performed to sever the DS – Rover connection. Quote from: Jim on 12/02/2011 07:49 pmNo, the sensors detect the weight on the bridle which determines landingCan both of these be correct in some way I'm not seeing?
"........As planned, MSL does not have a direct means of sensing Rover touchdown; a software logic is employed instead. ... the DS...is forced to follow this constant velocity vertical trajectory.(After the rover has landed...) A continuation of the DS motion requires less force. It is this change in the force command which is monitored (with a persistence check) to declare touchdown. Upon receiving this indication, a bridle cut is performed to sever the DS – Rover connection.
When is the landing? I heard on the NASA Tweetup that it is at 10:00pm or so PDT, but they didn't say a date (maybe August 6th)? But the update says it's the 5th, but not the 5th where. Anyone have the truth?
Still curious about it... (See two posts above)
Quote from: Lee Jay on 12/02/2011 04:31 pmWhen is the landing? I heard on the NASA Tweetup that it is at 10:00pm or so PDT, but they didn't say a date (maybe August 6th)? But the update says it's the 5th, but not the 5th where. Anyone have the truth?It appears to be around 10:00pm PDT on the 5th / 1:00am EDT on the 6th. Don't know the minutes, but I'm sure we will as we get closer.
The Jan. 11 maneuver has been planned to use the spacecraft's inertial measurement unit to measure the spacecraft's orientation and acceleration during the maneuver. A calibration maneuver using the gyroscope-containing inertial measurement unit was completed successfully on Dec. 21. The inertial measurement unit is used as an alternative to the spacecraft's onboard celestial navigation system due to an earlier computer reset.
Quote from: Lee Jay on 12/14/2011 09:40 pmQuote from: Lee Jay on 12/02/2011 04:31 pmWhen is the landing? I heard on the NASA Tweetup that it is at 10:00pm or so PDT, but they didn't say a date (maybe August 6th)? But the update says it's the 5th, but not the 5th where. Anyone have the truth?It appears to be around 10:00pm PDT on the 5th / 1:00am EDT on the 6th. Don't know the minutes, but I'm sure we will as we get closer.The last tweet with a date on MSL's page says 5Z which is midnight EDT on the 6th / 9pm PDT on the 5th.
Will MSL employee the "beep codes" during EDL as MER did?
Two spacecraft engineers join a grouping of vehicles providing a comparison of three generations of Mars rovers developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The setting is JPL's Mars Yard testing area.Front and center is the flight spare for the first Mars rover, Sojourner, which landed on Mars in 1997 as part of the Mars Pathfinder Project. On the left is a Mars Exploration Rover Project test rover that is a working sibling to Spirit and Opportunity, which landed on Mars in 2004. On the right is a Mars Science Laboratory test rover the size of that project's Mars rover, Curiosity, which is on course for landing on Mars in August 2012.Sojourner and its flight spare, named Marie Curie, are 2 feet (65 centimeters) long. The Mars Exploration Rover Project's rover, including the "Surface System Test Bed" rover in this photo, are 5.2 feet (1.6 meters) long. The Mars Science Laboratory Project's Curiosity rover and "Vehicle System Test Bed" rover, on the right, are 10 feet (3 meters) long.The engineers are JPL's Matt Robinson, left, and Wesley Kuykendall. The California Institute of Technology, in Pasadena, operates JPL for NASA.
Spacecraft Computer Issue ResolvedFebruary 09, 2012Mars Science Laboratory Mission Status ReportExtract:PASADENA, Calif. -- Engineers have found the root cause of a computer reset that occurred two months ago on NASA's Mars Science Laboratory and have determined how to correct it.Full Status Report:http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-038
Quote from: pechisbeque on 02/09/2012 09:49 pmSpacecraft Computer Issue ResolvedFebruary 09, 2012Mars Science Laboratory Mission Status ReportExtract:PASADENA, Calif. -- Engineers have found the root cause of a computer reset that occurred two months ago on NASA's Mars Science Laboratory and have determined how to correct it.Full Status Report:http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-038From the press release it seems that the cache system don't have coherency circuitry. So they had to change the registry usage to prevent cache pollution. Is that possible?
What kind of cameras/footage can we expect to see back during the landing sequence?-Iain
Quote from: Duck on 05/01/2012 01:47 amWhat kind of cameras/footage can we expect to see back during the landing sequence?-IainNothing. There are no realtime cameras
(Seriously though, that's way disappointing)
And there's no flash memory that they could record an MPEG and upload it sometime later?
Four frames per second:http://www.msss.com/all_projects/msl-mardi.phpAs Jim says, though, none transmitted in real time.
IIRC, that's a big improvement over what we got from MER. Wasn't that about 6 images total?
And there's no flash memory that they could record an MPEG and upload it sometime later?Think of the extra interest they'd actually capture in the general public if they could show how awesome this landing is going to be on TV...
Quote from: Lee Jay on 05/01/2012 04:08 pmIIRC, that's a big improvement over what we got from MER. Wasn't that about 6 images total?Yes, 3 DIMES images per rover. Phoenix was supposed to capture similar footage to MSL but a late-discovered incompatibility with other flight hardware caused it to be turned off instead.
It wouldn't show any of the deployments. All it would show is the surface approaching. Nothing that would capture interest.
If they can fit an HD camera in the tiny little corner of an iPhone, I can't believe they couldn't mill out 10 grams of Al. from some panel somewhere in the chassis of the thing to make up the mass difference and send back HD footage of some of the more interesting components during landing.
Should they not have had any live footage from the moon during Apollo? Since it's not scientific?
I'm coming at this from the generation that is interested in space because it generates an emotion of excitement and hope for the future more than anything else.
"We are seeing a strong flux in space, even inside the spacecraft, about four times higher doses of radiation than the baseline we measured on the launch pad from the RTG, or radioisotope thermoelectric generator, used to power the rover. It's very exciting to begin the science mission."
http://www.swri.org/9what/releases/2011/rad-mars.htmQuote"We are seeing a strong flux in space, even inside the spacecraft, about four times higher doses of radiation than the baseline we measured on the launch pad from the RTG, or radioisotope thermoelectric generator, used to power the rover. It's very exciting to begin the science mission."How much radiation is that? Is it safe?
Just read that the drill used to bore into rock will leave the samples contaminated by trace amounts of teflon, and this was known since before it was launched.http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/06/nasa-rover-will-contaminate-its.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18401248BBC article mentions 3 more opportunities for course correction burns, one in the next 2 weeks. Does anyone know the dates?
Saw this linked to on UMSF, incredibly meaty:http://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/DPSummary/Descanso14_MSL_Telecom.pdf(MSL Telecommunications System Design)
Landing is due to occur on the 5th August, does anyone know what time roughly it's going to happen.
Quote from: cian on 06/22/2012 07:25 pmLanding is due to occur on the 5th August, does anyone know what time roughly it's going to happen. Scroll up.
Neat video:Challenges of Getting to Mars: Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror
Curiosity Rover on Track for Early August Landinghttp://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-188
FWIW, just read on UMSF that Mars Odyssey in safe mode again...2nd time this has happened over the last couple of weeks...MSL is intended to use Odyssey for communications to/from Earth...http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=7318&view=findpost&p=185658
Quote from: racshot65 on 06/25/2012 03:24 pmNeat video:Challenges of Getting to Mars: Curiosity's Seven Minutes of TerrorVery, very cool video! The EDL sequence is dramatic to begin with. Finally, a video professionally produced which shows just how spectacular this sequence is going to be.
Mars Express to record and relay signals from NASA On 6 August, Mars Express will turn and start listening at 05:10. Confirmation of touchdown is expected directly via Odyssey at 05:31, and Mars Express will record MSL signal data between 05:10 and 05:38 (all times GMT and subject to change). Once complete, Mars Express will slew again to point toward Earth and transmit the recorded data to ESOC via the Agency’s 35 m-diameter deep-space antenna in New Norcia, Australia. The data are expected around 06:40 GMT and will be immediately transmitted to NASA. ESA's stations on standby ESA’s station network will also directly support the landing, standing by as ‘hot back-up’ to NASA’s own deep-space network to receive data from 250 million km. “NASA supported the arrival of Mars Express at Mars in 2003, and, in the past few years, we have relayed data from the rovers Spirit and Opportunity,” says ESA’s Manfred Warhaut, Head of Mission Operations. “Mars Express also tracked the descent of NASA’s Phoenix lander in 2008 and we routinely share our deep space networks. “Technical and scientific cooperation at Mars between ESA and NASA is a long-standing and mutually beneficial activity that helps us both to reduce risk and increase the return of scientific results.”
Are there any plans for Curiosity to investigate the SkyCrane crash site? Might be interesting to see what happened to it, plus the skly crane will dig up some soil from the impact, revealing material underneath the top soil. Might be of scientific interest?Greets, Chris
Well, the part that lets Curiosity down on the cables and then flies away as soon it has disconnected. "Descent stage" or "Skycrane"... same thing?
Quote from: Jim link=topic=27414.msg934456#msg934456 You mean descent stageWell, the part that lets Curiosity down on the cables and then flies away as soon it has disconnected. "Descent stage" or "Skycrane"... same thing?
You mean descent stage
Course Maneuver Successful; MSL Begins Final ApproachLate Saturday night, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft successfully fine-tuned its course to better zero in on its target entry point into the Martian atmosphere on landing day. Two brief thruster firings totaling about six seconds altered the spacecraft's velocity slightly, by about one-fortieth of one mile per hour (one centimeter per second). This trajectory correction maneuver the fourth since MSL's launch adjusted the point at which Curiosity will enter the Martian atmosphere by about 13 miles (21 kilometers). On landing day, MSL can steer enough during its flight through the upper atmosphere to correct for a miss of the target entry point by a few miles and still land within its target ellipse. Mission engineers and managers rated the projected 13-mile miss big enough to warrant a correction maneuver. Telemetry and tracking data indicate the maneuver was successful. MSL will have two further opportunities for additional course corrections during the final 48 hours before landing, if needed.
IIRC, they want to avoid the descent stage crash site due to contamination hazard to MSL instruments.
Those times for Australians on the East coast :Friday 3rd 3 am -- Mission Science Overview News Briefing4 am -- Mission Engineering Overview News BriefingSaturday 4th 2:30 am -- NASA SocialSunday 5th 2:30 am -- Prelanding Update and Entry, Descent and Landing OverviewMonday 6th2:30 am -- Final Prelanding Update News Briefing8 am -- NASA Science News Briefing1:30-4 pm -- Landing Commentary No. 1~ 4:15 pm -- Post-landing News Briefing5:30-6:30 pm -- Landing Commentary No. 2Tuesday 7th 2 am -- Landing Recap News Briefing9 am -- Possible New Images News BriefingWednesday 8th 3 am -- News BriefingThursday 9th 3 am -- News BriefingFriday 10th 3 am -- News BriefingSaturday 11th 3 am (tentative) -- News Briefing
Horizon Mission to Mars (UK Only) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01llnb2/Horizon_20122013_Mission_to_Mars/
Not to take anything away from our excellent coverage here at NSF, but is anyone else having trouble reaching unmannedspaceflight.com? Been down for me since last night, via two different broadband nets.
On Sol 3028 (July 31, 2012), Opportunity served as a trial horse for possible direct detection at Earth of Curiosity's Ultra High Frequency (UHF) signal during landing with the Parkes Radio Observatory in Australia. Opportunity transmitted a UHF signal configured as Curiosity's UHF will be at landing. The Parkes antenna was able to detect the Opportunity test signal and will be now be listening during Curiosity's landing.
Timeline: ESA tracks MSL arrival at Mars The highlight of ESA’s support for NASA’s Curiosity landing happens at 06:29 on Monday, 6 August, when the Mars Express Lander Communication (MELACOM) system is switched on. Recording of the radio signals transmitted by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is planned to begin at 07:09 and end at 07:37 (all times shown as ground event time in CEST). ESA’s ground tracking station in New Norcia, Australia, will also listen and record signals from the NASA mission at the same time. At 08:15, Mars Express will contact Earth via ESA’s 35 m deep space station at New Norcia, and begin transmitting the recorded information, which should take about 11 minutes to download; signals will take nearly 14 minutes to cover the 248 million km distance to Earth. The transfer will be complete by about 08:26; the data will be transferred in real time to ESOC, and made immediately available to NASA’s MSL mission team at the Jet Propulsion Lab in California. Notes:CEST = UTC + 2 hoursEarth time = Mars time + 13min:48secMEX: Mars ExpressMSL: Mars Science LaboratoryNNO: ESA New Norcia stationAOS: Acquisition of signalS/C: SpacecraftAll times subject to change
Good to hear that NSF will be covering MSL live Chris.I have been following Curiosity's flight to Mars for months and I am pumped!I just hope I can still be awake at 1:30 am to hear the good news.
ESA’s first step in continuing Curiosity support In the coming weeks, Mars Express and the operations team at ESOC will perform several data relay overflights during the first phases of Curiosity’s mission on the surface of Mars. Then, ESA will offer a standby capability to provide dedicated support at short notice, if requested by NASA, by relaying data from Curiosity to Earth. This could become necessary if Odyssey or MRO were to experience any technical problems, for example. ESA’s tracking station network can support NASA missions, due in part to long-standing technical and operational cooperation between the two agencies. “Supporting Curiosity is an excellent example of inter-agency cooperation not only on Earth but also in deep space,” said Manfred Warhaut, ESA’s Head of Mission Operations. “No one likes going to Mars on their own; it takes cooperation and partnership to reduce risk and boost scientific return on investment.”
No, the mast doesn't go up today.
Quote from: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 11:45 amNo, the mast doesn't go up today.Have they published a detailed timeline anywhere?