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Robotic Spacecraft (Astronomy, Planetary, Earth, Solar/Heliophysics) => Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and Mars 2020 Rover Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 07/31/2012 03:46 pm

Title: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/31/2012 03:46 pm
Huzzah! It's a party thread, allowing the main threads to remain clear of the chatter and random bollocks that tends to stress out the "serious interneters".

"I came here for descent rates, and 'BobNASAfan' responded with 'Wooo, GoMSL! It has some very funky wheels!'. To whom do I seek compensation for having to endure this lack of seriousness?!" :D

It worked for the SpaceX Dragon C2+ mission threads, so we're having one for this too.

This is an unmoderated thread, but obviously that doesn't mean you can post something off topic or offensive, etc.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Lars_J on 07/31/2012 03:51 pm
Party on! :) I'll be glued to the 'internets' & NASA TV this Sunday! Best of luck!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: go4mars on 07/31/2012 04:02 pm
Woot!   

Biggest party I've heard of will be in Pasadena.  There's a Mars Society conference.  A few hours before touchdown, Elon is giving his keynote address on SpaceX's future plans and aspirations for colonization.  You can rub shoulders with Buzz Aldrin, Bob Zubrin, Lori Garver, Jeff Faust, George Whitesides, Peter Diamandis, Carol Stoker, etc.   

MSL:  Piquing Curiosity since 2012.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Jason1701 on 07/31/2012 04:05 pm
Jim is having a private party thread called "DescentStageTastic!"

Will any NSF members be in Pasadena?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Rahkashi on 07/31/2012 04:06 pm
The US Space and Rocket Center is having an all-night viewing party on Sunday.

http://www.spacecamp.com/mu/calendar/071212/mars-curiosity-snoozeum
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/31/2012 04:06 pm
Beers’ on Jim…  ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: neilh on 07/31/2012 04:46 pm
Jim is having a private party thread called "DescentStageTastic!"

Will any NSF members be in Pasadena?

I'll be at the banquet, anyone want to do a NSF meetup of sorts? :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/31/2012 04:54 pm
Good start. People already missing the viewing thread for those events....

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29439.0
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: tigerade on 07/31/2012 05:00 pm
Here's my fav video to get pumped about this mission   ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4boyXQuUIw
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Lee Jay on 07/31/2012 05:16 pm
I'm not sure I should watch this thing.  I can't hold my breath for 7 minutes.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Pheogh on 07/31/2012 05:20 pm
Would love to see a collection of all the Skycrane sims and Testbed videos. The really inside stuff that JPL doesn't think the regular public would be interested in.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: D_Dom on 07/31/2012 05:32 pm
I will be departing for the equator Sunday but anytime Saturday in Pasadena works.
+1 Pheogh for insider videos, can't get enough of that good stuff!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: majormajor42 on 07/31/2012 05:43 pm
Yay, party thread!

Great video Tigerade, I had not seen that one. Some of the views make me wish it had some sort of removable third person camera (perhaps like Pathfinder had). Oh well, I know science is the priority.

Glad I don't have work Monday. Haven't decided if I will head to one of the Planetfest events. There are quite a few around, two in the NYC area.

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/31/2012 05:46 pm
Would love to see a collection of all the Skycrane sims and Testbed videos. The really inside stuff that JPL doesn't think the regular public would be interested in.


Hmmm, that's not a bad shout. That dramatic EDL video could lead a thread for that. Let me work it.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/31/2012 05:59 pm
Would love to see a collection of all the Skycrane sims and Testbed videos. The really inside stuff that JPL doesn't think the regular public would be interested in.


Hmmm, that's not a bad shout. That dramatic EDL video could lead a thread for that. Let me work it.

Done, although that EDL video seemed to be the only really good one:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29564.0

Although I may have misread your comment. If you mean insider videos, that'd be acquired by L2's MSL section. Public forum is for public stuff.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 07/31/2012 06:06 pm
Eyes on the Solar System (http://eyes.jpl.nasa.gov/) has a pretty neat interactive simulation of the EDL sequence. Java plugin required to run.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 07/31/2012 11:26 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjiGH9QNiU0&feature=related
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Helodriver on 07/31/2012 11:59 pm
During the entry sequence, the MSL is going to eject some tungsten ballast weights to change its CG while its still very high up and very fast. Being tungsten, they are very robust and I expect they will survive to impact the surface. Anyone here have any idea how far from the MSL landing site they may impact and how fast they may be going when they hit? I would think they may penetrate pretty deep. If its close to the landing site, that might be a way for curiosity to sample below surface volatiles.

It might be an interesting thing for future missions if any ballast ejected took the form of a dedicated penetrator (ala a small Deep Impact) to create an intersting science target for the rover/lander.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 08/01/2012 12:18 am
I hope they don't get stuck too quickly.

Scott Maxwell to avoid the quicksand.

If anybody starting calling these rovers "she" first it was him with Spirit.

I'm now following on twitter  8)

https://twitter.com/marsroverdriver
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/01/2012 04:22 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjiGH9QNiU0&feature=related


Heh! That's crazy! :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/01/2012 06:19 pm
I was looking for a quality version of this historic gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7hSGgpsSaM
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/01/2012 07:47 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCHjKecA6cI
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: mrhuggy on 08/02/2012 09:22 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCHjKecA6cI

If the MSL fails we know to blame those damm Jawas.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Pheogh on 08/02/2012 09:40 pm
Just finished watching the Engineering Press Conference from today and noticed something about the skycrane which I had not before. I would love to know what kind of simulation and testing has been done to address any twisting of the 3 drop lines. All of the simulations I have seen so far seem to indicate they expect the Rover to drop essentially in the same orientation that it was locked to the descent stage in? I am curious to know if they expect any yawing from the confluence point of lines?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/02/2012 11:33 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjiGH9QNiU0&feature=related


Super funny!

(was half expecting a big 'SPLAT!' with a crash landing right on top of 'life' on Mars) hehe
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Star One on 08/04/2012 05:41 pm
Take the MSL quiz.

http://www.space.com/16613-mars-rover-curiosity-quiz.html
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: seawolfe on 08/04/2012 06:27 pm
When Curiosity lands, does it qualify for an Olympian medal?  It's one of the longest track runs in the sport!  I guess it'll have to compete between the U.S., Chinese and team GB for a medal.  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: KelvinZero on 08/04/2012 11:00 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCHjKecA6cI

If the MSL fails we know to blame those damm Jawas.

Damn, you bet me to it ;)

at about 7m:30s I really began expecting some Jawas to appear and fit a restraining bolt.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/04/2012 11:17 pm
I love these party threads. This way I can get my fix of fun AND the serious stuff too :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: meekGee on 08/05/2012 06:18 am
get it?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Capt. Nemo on 08/05/2012 07:46 am
Quote from: meekGee
get it?

Is that a Mars Science laboratory with a frickin' laser beam attached to it's head?  :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/05/2012 10:25 am
With MSL being so much larger than the MERs, what sort of images can we expect MRO to take of it on the ground?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: KelvinZero on 08/05/2012 10:30 am
get it?

I get it. :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/05/2012 07:39 pm
Martian Homeland Defense on high alert! ;D

http://acravan.blogspot.ca/2012/01/nasa-family-values-heaven-is-in-your.html
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/05/2012 07:40 pm
Martian Homeland Defense on high alert! ;D

http://acravan.blogspot.ca/2012/01/nasa-family-values-heaven-is-in-your.html


OMG I was hoping someone would bring Marvin The Martian to our landing party!!!! :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: darkenfast on 08/05/2012 09:10 pm
Chris G, that is an excellent article on the MSL landing sequence! Thank you, and go have a drink at the bar!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Space Pete on 08/05/2012 09:45 pm
Would just like to add my obligatory GO CURIOSITY!!!

If anyone in the world can do this, JPL can.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/05/2012 09:54 pm
So while we've still go people who can't work out what "UPDATES ONLY" means in the update thread, let's keep this thread top for a while.

What's everyone doing for the meantime?

I'll be watching the big MLS game Seattle vs Los Angeles on ESPN. 65,000+ in Quest Field - should be epic! 9pm Eastern.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Star One on 08/05/2012 09:59 pm
Still watching the Olympics!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: seawolfe on 08/05/2012 10:03 pm
So while we've still go people who can't work out what "UPDATES ONLY" means in the update thread, let's keep this thread top for a while.

What's everyone doing for the meantime?

I'll be watching the big MLS game Seattle vs Los Angeles on ESPN. 65,000+ in Quest Field - should be epic! 9pm Eastern.

GO Sounders!   ;D

Unfortunately I have to go to bed.... Have to get up at midnight to go to work.   :-\
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/05/2012 10:03 pm
Got the Olympics on one screen and the Eyes on the solar system MSL sim full screened on the other.  ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/05/2012 10:09 pm
So while we've still go people who can't work out what "UPDATES ONLY" means in the update thread, let's keep this thread top for a while.

What's everyone doing for the meantime?

I'll be watching the big MLS game Seattle vs Los Angeles on ESPN. 65,000+ in Quest Field - should be epic! 9pm Eastern.

GO Sounders!   ;D


Indeed! That's who I'll be rooting for! Sorry Beckham! ;D

Oh and apparently it's called Century Link Field now (naming rights lol). Lovely stadium though.

Thank goodness for party threads ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Bubbinski on 08/05/2012 10:09 pm
I finished another model (Chuck Yeager's X-1) and am now watching the science news conference on the NASA TV app on the iPad.  I'll be up at the U of Utah landing party in a few hours.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mader Levap on 08/05/2012 10:11 pm
Ah, ideal thread for my comment.

Nature have only two grades, A and F. Good luck, Curiosity.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robotbeat on 08/05/2012 10:11 pm
Would just like to add my obligatory GO CURIOSITY!!!

If anyone in the world can do this, JPL can.
Indeed!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Seattle Dave on 08/05/2012 10:15 pm
So while we've still go people who can't work out what "UPDATES ONLY" means in the update thread, let's keep this thread top for a while.

What's everyone doing for the meantime?

I'll be watching the big MLS game Seattle vs Los Angeles on ESPN. 65,000+ in Quest Field - should be epic! 9pm Eastern.

GO Sounders!   ;D


GO SOUNDERS!! I'm going to this! They've opened up the bird's nest this season so it'll be a sellout.

This is the place with the bird's nest closed, so tonight will be amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sscwZ8_JWo

Will be back in time for MSL!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kch on 08/05/2012 10:17 pm

Thank goodness for party threads ;)

Absolutely -- thanks, Chris!  :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/05/2012 10:19 pm
That's pretty sweet when two people from Seattle immediately respond! ;D

That's a city I must visit one day.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 08/05/2012 10:34 pm
As of this moment, Curiosity is flying at 355 times the speed of Usain Bolt....  ::)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: JBF on 08/05/2012 10:46 pm
I'm not sure if it's been posted yet but here is the NPR interview with NASA engineer Adam Steltzner the EDL lead designer.

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/03/157597270/crazy-smart-when-a-rocker-designs-a-mars-lander?sc=tw&cc=share
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/05/2012 10:56 pm
That's pretty sweet when two people from Seattle immediately respond! ;D

That's a city I must visit one day.
Be sure to pick a day like today, 88 degrees sunny.  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Retired Downrange on 08/05/2012 10:59 pm
I'm not sure if it's been posted yet but here is the NPR interview with NASA engineer Adam Steltzner the EDL lead designer.

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/03/157597270/crazy-smart-when-a-rocker-designs-a-mars-lander?sc=tw&cc=share

Thanks, great story.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/05/2012 11:17 pm

What's everyone doing for the meantime?

Making Ravioli, with Olympic repeats in the background until the fun starts.

It's going to be a LONG night  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: wholmeswa on 08/05/2012 11:25 pm
That's pretty sweet when two people from Seattle immediately respond! ;D

That's a city I must visit one day.

Make it three people from Seattle.  :)

Several people from our condo complex are going. As for me, I am more of an American/Canadian style "football" fan.

Go Sounders, Go Seahawks, Go MSL!

Wayne
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: bguillot on 08/05/2012 11:45 pm
Make that 4 from Seattle.  About to head out to the Museum of Flight for tonight's festivities.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 12:01 am
Going to bed now [8PM EDT]. Have set my alarm for 1AM.

The things I do to get my space fix....:D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Norm38 on 08/06/2012 12:06 am
If anyone has ever used Celestia (excellent program) to go flying around the solar system, NASA's Eyes on the Solar System is using a near identical user interface, with about the same flexibility.

I'm currently watching MSL approach the planet over the right shoulder of Odyssey.  It's quite a view.  Looking right back at Earth too.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: jcopella on 08/06/2012 12:09 am
Having some grilled Italian sausage with Tunisian pasta in a goat cheese & spinach cream sauce, a glass of Malbec, watching the Olympics, while keeping one eye on USF, NSF, and watching Mars get ever larger via Eyes....

Go MSL!  Go JPL!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: NavySpaceFan on 08/06/2012 12:19 am
Won't be able to watch EDL live, so GO CURIOSITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 08/06/2012 12:52 am

What's everyone doing for the meantime?


had a 3 hour "nap" :o and now working on getting 10 lbs of frozen wild crab apples and 5 lbs of frozen bananas ready for a 5 Imperial gallon "Curiosity" 2 year job well done celebration bottle; can you tell I am optimistic; keeping tabs on updates here on NSF; Thx Chris
 
   Go Curiosity GO!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Retired Downrange on 08/06/2012 01:17 am
Photos being uploaded to flickr from Ames

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/sets/72157630921897916/
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: WRW on 08/06/2012 01:19 am

What's everyone doing for the meantime?


Margaritas and nachos here in Houston!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Retired Downrange on 08/06/2012 01:39 am
A red Oreo for the Red Planet

http://brands.nabisco.com/oreo/dailytwist/mobile/

------------

also:

  MSL_101
@MSL_101
Spacecraft Status Report from a few Minutes ago: All is nominal! Cruise Stage Separation in 3hrs 34min (ERT) #MSL

4 minutes ago  via Twitter
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: carstenbf on 08/06/2012 01:48 am
Quote
What's everyone doing for the meantime?

Coffee, lots of coffee!
It's 3:46am here, and can't risk falling asleep.  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: HappyMartian on 08/06/2012 02:18 am
7 Up and Cheese here in Asia!

Waiting with a happy smile and crossed fingers.   :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: scienceguy on 08/06/2012 02:27 am
Coffee and chocolate here in Alberta!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 08/06/2012 02:34 am
Just sipping my cola while I was watching some Englishmen pulling a jumbo jet to bits.

That was quite good actually.

Victor X-Ray back in the air  ;D

Rob & Tom not bad for engineering types. Looking forward to more.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: jjknap on 08/06/2012 02:46 am
Deep Dish Pizza here in Chicago :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robotbeat on 08/06/2012 02:51 am
Any network or cable news channel going to carry the landing live? Comcast doesn't appear to have NASA TV.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2012 02:58 am
Epic 4-0 win for Seattle! And on to MSL!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/06/2012 03:02 am
Epic 4-0 win for Seattle! And on to MSL!

They didn't broadcast that one here, but Real Madrid vs Santos is now up from Las Vegas. I guess I'll have that on in the background.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: e of pi on 08/06/2012 03:04 am
Well, I had a three hour nap, so I hope I'll be go for landing. Hoping to hear that Odyssey slews properly and we'll have data throughout landing (if I understood the press conference this afternoon correctly?)

EDIT: Cool to see the JPL control rooms, considering I got to tour them back in June during the open house (I timed my vacation around that :) ).
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: tigerade on 08/06/2012 03:23 am
GO CURIOSITY!!! GO NASA!!! GO JPL!!!  ;D

There, got that off my chest.  I'm so excited.  Can't wait for this.  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: simonbp on 08/06/2012 03:26 am
Deep Dish Pizza here in Chicago :)

Lucky.

Making do with a late night steak and coffee.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spacetraveler on 08/06/2012 03:27 am
Good luck to the JPL team, not too much longer to wait!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Stardust9906 on 08/06/2012 03:38 am
Good luck to the EDL team!

Go Curiosity!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: SpaceXSLS on 08/06/2012 03:39 am
Yikes! I just tried viewing the launch from Ustream because I read from chris that 26k users are on, and as expected the chat is an absolute blur!

I don't suppose anyone is watching the launch from a stream with a slightly smaller viewer base? :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Retired Downrange on 08/06/2012 03:40 am
  Curiosity Rover
@MarsCuriosity

2 hours to Mars, 16,300 miles away and closing fast. Velocity = 8,900 mph. Watch live: bit.ly/MarsLive #MSL

6 minutes ago  via Twitter for Mac
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: WRW on 08/06/2012 03:52 am
Go you sexy rover you!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/06/2012 03:53 am
Yikes! I just tried viewing the launch from Ustream because I read from chris that 26k users are on, and as expected the chat is an absolute blur!

I don't suppose anyone is watching the launch from a stream with a slightly smaller viewer base? :)

47,000 users on now!!

Crazy awesome!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/06/2012 03:57 am
That ipad app looks awesome!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: hyper_snyper on 08/06/2012 03:58 am
Is there an html5 based live stream?  All the flash sites pin my CPU.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Retired Downrange on 08/06/2012 04:06 am
This NASA feed can't be flash, because it is working on my iPad

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/NTV-Public-IPS.m3u8
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: hyper_snyper on 08/06/2012 04:12 am
You rock.  Thanks.

Also, Go Curiosity!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: dafixer on 08/06/2012 04:14 am
Saw her in the cleanroom at JPL last March. Watching her land tonight on Mars! Go baby go!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Halidon on 08/06/2012 04:16 am
Sounders won, I got burned to a crisp at SeaFair, and now I'm ready to cheer on Curiosity!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/06/2012 04:18 am
Godspeed Curiosity.

All the best to the teams helping to bring her in.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/06/2012 04:24 am
I really think NASA have hit the coverage spot on between the public channel and the 'fluff' and giving the clean feed on the media channel.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Bubbinski on 08/06/2012 04:38 am
I'm at the U of Utah now, in a lecture hall with NASA TV on a projection screen.  I haven't been in a college classroom in AGES.  I'm ready to take notes!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/06/2012 04:39 am
Yikes! I just tried viewing the launch from Ustream because I read from chris that 26k users are on, and as expected the chat is an absolute blur!

I don't suppose anyone is watching the launch from a stream with a slightly smaller viewer base? :)

47,000 users on now!!

Crazy awesome!

WOW, now over 80,000 online and 11M views
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: grakenverb on 08/06/2012 04:44 am
Yankees beat the Mariners, now hoping Curiousity beats the odds and has a safe landing!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 04:45 am
Excuse the serious question but the spacecrafts velocity is increasing, is this because of it's proximity to Mars?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: e of pi on 08/06/2012 04:48 am
Excuse the serious question but the spacecrafts velocity is increasing, is this because of it's proximity to Mars?
I'd imagine so--potential energy trading for kinetic.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Retired Downrange on 08/06/2012 04:49 am
Pucker time approaching.....


(and I had thought I would nap some tonight.... not a chance!)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: simonbp on 08/06/2012 04:51 am
Excuse the serious question but the spacecrafts velocity is increasing, is this because of it's proximity to Mars?

Yes, it's deep in Mars's gravity well now.

EDIT: At 100 km altitude, it has gained 5 km/s from Mars's gravity.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: wechose on 08/06/2012 04:53 am
Hi all,don't know about You guys but I have as many tabs open as RAM can handle,ANY members in Time Square logged on by Phone or Wi-FI hotspot?,Hey give us a wave...Hold up an NSF sign......The Whole World is watching........ I have everthing crossed,some parts I have crossed shall remain nameless as this is a family site........... :)
Apologies to poster who first posted the link to Times Square,cannot remember Your user name,but here it is and camera angles can be changed!

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/06/2012 04:54 am
That ipad app looks awesome!

Which iPad app??????

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/app20120711.html

They were showing it on NASA TV when I posted, It was an augmented reality showing Curiosity.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 04:54 am
Thanks guys.

Sweating in Seattle
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: HappyMartian on 08/06/2012 04:55 am
NASA TV is lovely! Godspeed Curiosity!

Cheers!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: MATTBLAK on 08/06/2012 04:55 am
At 7 minutes and 12 seconds before touchdown, I'm going to start playing the version of Gustav Holst's 'Mars" that I have!! (Charles Dutoit conducting)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: knotnic on 08/06/2012 05:02 am
"Roger, you are go to open the peanuts." I love it.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2012 05:03 am
Oh crap, I deleted a couple of posts thinking this was the live thread.

Really sorry, repost! :o

(Tired!!)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:04 am
Cut Chris off, hic.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: corrodedNut on 08/06/2012 05:05 am
I guess you can't work at JPL if you have a peanut allergy...ha!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: e of pi on 08/06/2012 05:05 am
Oh crap, I deleted a couple of posts thinking this was the live thread.

Really sorry, repost! :o

(Tired!!)
Totally not up to NSF's standards, Chris. As penance, you must watch the 7 Minutes of Terror video six times in a row, then wait for the NBC delayed feed of the landing. :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: rickl on 08/06/2012 05:06 am
Oh crap, I deleted a couple of posts thinking this was the live thread.

Really sorry, repost! :o

(Tired!!)

I was wondering what happened there.   ???

Anyway, all I said was that I'm watching too, but I haven't had anything to say because I'm too busy holding my breath.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:07 am
OK Curiosity. I'm up and watching. Now land safely!;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Retired Downrange on 08/06/2012 05:07 am
waiting to exhale...
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:08 am
11,300 mph and accelerating
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: simonbp on 08/06/2012 05:08 am
Odyssey is good to cover EDL. Not bad for an 11-year-old spacecraft.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Silmfeanor on 08/06/2012 05:08 am
cant keep my legs still anymore  ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:12 am
Cruise stage sep in 2 minutes
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: mrbliss on 08/06/2012 05:13 am
In honor of the peanuts honoring the success of Ranger 7, we're ... munching cashews in Ada Michigan.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 05:13 am
My first live Mars landing :D So excited!
Question- we are watching everything on a 14min delay are we? So at this point, in real time, entry is just starting?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: wechose on 08/06/2012 05:14 am
Oh crap, I deleted a couple of posts thinking this was the live thread.

Really sorry, repost! :o

(Tired!!)
Ha Chris think You can be forgiven.You are SUPERHUMAN man!
Watching Your Update thread as well!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: asmi on 08/06/2012 05:15 am
What's especially amazing - MSL is actually now approaching landing (if not landed already), but due to delay we just don't know that yet. It's like a time machine :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: simonbp on 08/06/2012 05:17 am
Yoyos have separated
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:18 am
12,000 mph and still accelerating, Yeeehaaaa
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 05:18 am
Funny seeing it not spinning any more
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:19 am
C'mon Curiosity!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/06/2012 05:19 am
163,000 ustream viewers online!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/06/2012 05:19 am
Best of luck Curiosity and team. Scary to think it's already either there safely or not!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: savuporo on 08/06/2012 05:20 am
I saw Chris post "Crew stage sep" on the live thread .. nice freudian slip :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Jason1701 on 08/06/2012 05:21 am
NASASpaceflight views accelerating as Mars' gravity pulls them in.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Norm38 on 08/06/2012 05:22 am
On the simulation, it looks just like an alien flying saucer UFO coming in for a landing.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:23 am
On the simulation, it looks just like an alien flying saucer UFO coming in for a landing.
To the Martians it is a UFO
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: asmi on 08/06/2012 05:24 am
And here we go - "Seven minutes of horror" :) MSL is ALREADY on the ground (one way or another), but we still don't know that :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:25 am
It's slowing down
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: wechose on 08/06/2012 05:27 am
And here we go - "Seven minutes of horror" :) MSL is ALREADY on the ground (one way or another), but we still don't know that :)
guys think you wrong .sorry,It lands at 31 mins past the hour.
EDIT: Soz about that,twas Me that was wrong........I misunderstood Eye's on Solar ,My bad................

WOW SHE is down Its a Miracle!            What a bunch JPL and NASA are
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:27 am
Decelerating rapidly 1500 mph
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: JAFO on 08/06/2012 05:28 am
Welcome to your new home, Curiosity.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:28 am

guys think you wrong .sorry,It lands at 31 mins past the hour.
That's Earth receive time
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/06/2012 05:29 am
And here we go - "Seven minutes of horror" :) MSL is ALREADY on the ground (one way or another), but we still don't know that :)
guys think you wrong .sorry,It lands at 31 mins past the hour.

Nope It's been down for over 10 minutes now, 14 minute delay on getting signal.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robert Thompson on 08/06/2012 05:30 am
Two laptops with 4 speakers make it more epic.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:31 am
Soooooooooo close now....GO CURIOSITY
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: rickl on 08/06/2012 05:32 am
Skycrane!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: simonbp on 08/06/2012 05:32 am
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: rickl on 08/06/2012 05:32 am
Touchdown confirmed!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robert Thompson on 08/06/2012 05:33 am
Back to you, China.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:33 am
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

TOUCHDOWN BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/06/2012 05:33 am
WOW, Congrats!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Norm38 on 08/06/2012 05:34 am
Yes!!!  Safe on Mars.  Everyone is happy, everything worked.  It's a good day.

Now we can build a bigger one.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Moonwatcher on 08/06/2012 05:34 am
YES! Great Job!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:34 am
JPL DOES IT AGAIN!!!!! :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 05:34 am
Strong signal from Oddysey :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: simonbp on 08/06/2012 05:35 am
Pictures, baby!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:35 am
Here come the pictures!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ARD on 08/06/2012 05:38 am
We have rover wheels on the surface!  And dust on the camera! 
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Halidon on 08/06/2012 05:38 am
Utterly amazing, Curiosity is down and pictures are coming.

Bravo Zulu!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mader Levap on 08/06/2012 05:39 am
Teacher: Nature. Student: humanity. Grade: A.
Congratulations!!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: NASAGeek on 08/06/2012 05:39 am
Awesome job JPL. They make it look too easy even though alot has to go right
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2012 05:39 am
Everyone can post one post of congrats on the live thread, cause this is f-ing history guys.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 05:41 am
MSL for the Gold!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:41 am
Celebrate JPL! God knows you've earned it :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: MATTBLAK on 08/06/2012 05:43 am
My Deepest congratulations to JPL and NASA.

I wish we could start a NEW countdown, today:

"Mr President; T-minus 12 years and counting for the first Human Landing..."

Go on, Sir - I Dare you...  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: wechose on 08/06/2012 05:44 am

guys think you wrong .sorry,It lands at 31 mins past the hour.
That's Earth receive time
Yes I have fixed post and apologies.
but It has been the opposite of Murphy's law,Everything that could have gone right has gone right,even the first pics     dream job by these genius's!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/06/2012 05:45 am
!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:46 am
I give Curiosity a 10 for sticking that landing!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: AJA on 08/06/2012 05:48 am
Happy birthday Neil Armstrong (Aug 5th). NASA just landed a rover on Mars for you. :D

AWESOME.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: JimOman on 08/06/2012 05:49 am
WooHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!


I was pacing around like a nervous dog the whole time. May have had a minor heart attack  ;)

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: savuporo on 08/06/2012 05:49 am
Oops .. Holdren : "We are the only nation to have landed surface landers on ANY other planet" .. not quite.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: FinalFrontier on 08/06/2012 05:50 am


GO NASA

GO CURIOSITY

GO JPL


GO U.S.A!!!!!


There's my cheering :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 05:51 am
I don't know how the hell I am going to calm down enough to go back to sleep.

But that's OK it is a great problem to have :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: majormajor42 on 08/06/2012 05:58 am
I don't know how the hell I am going to calm down enough to go back to sleep.

But that's OK it is a great problem to have :D

I was just thinking the same. Time for sleep. Maybe I'll get a Mars dream!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: SpaceXSLS on 08/06/2012 06:00 am
Oops .. Holdren : "We are the only nation to have landed surface landers on ANY other planet" .. not quite.

Is that a goof? Any other country successfully landed probes on a non-moon?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: SpaceXSLS on 08/06/2012 06:01 am
Oops .. Holdren : "We are the only nation to have landed surface landers on ANY other planet" .. not quite.

Is that a goof? Any other country successfully landed probes on an actual planet?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: simonbp on 08/06/2012 06:01 am
Venera. Several times.

Also, Mars 2.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 06:01 am
Venera on Venus
Edit: simonbp Beat me to it.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: savuporo on 08/06/2012 06:02 am
Oops .. Holdren : "We are the only nation to have landed surface landers on ANY other planet" .. not quite.

Is that a goof? Any other country successfully landed probes on a non-moon?
Hand in your space geek badge, please :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: SpaceXSLS on 08/06/2012 06:03 am
Venera on Venus


I see, then Holdren is indeed very wrong. Doesn't do him any favors.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: SpaceXSLS on 08/06/2012 06:04 am
Oops .. Holdren : "We are the only nation to have landed surface landers on ANY other planet" .. not quite.

Is that a goof? Any other country successfully landed probes on a non-moon?
Hand in your space geek badge, please :)

Bah, you see my post count? Im a geek in training.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2012 06:06 am
Oops .. Holdren : "We are the only nation to have landed surface landers on ANY other planet" .. not quite.

Is that a goof? Any other country successfully landed probes on a non-moon?
Hand in your space geek badge, please :)
Best exchange on the party thread tonight :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 06:07 am
"Mission is... speechless"

lol :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ARD on 08/06/2012 06:11 am
Sometimes the craziest ideas are the ones that work best. I wonder how long we'll have to wait until people start coming out of the woodwork claiming this is a hoax.

You kidding?  There are people now who claim NASA's been covering up evidence of Martian cities since Viking 1 (or even the earlier Mariners).  To them, MSL was a hoax since it was announced. 

Rather frighteningly, I first met one of those people while we were both interns at Goddard Space Flight Center.   :(
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robotbeat on 08/06/2012 06:14 am
Like a boss, JPL. Like. A. Boss.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: KelvinZero on 08/06/2012 06:25 am
Sometimes the craziest ideas are the ones that work best. I wonder how long we'll have to wait until people start coming out of the woodwork claiming this is a hoax.

You kidding?  There are people now who claim NASA's been covering up evidence of Martian cities since Viking 1 (or even the earlier Mariners).  To them, MSL was a hoax since it was announced. 

Rather frighteningly, I first met one of those people while we were both interns at Goddard Space Flight Center.   :(

Well apparently that venus landing was faked ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: swampcat on 08/06/2012 06:28 am
Congratulations to NASA and the JPL team. Great job.

And it's my birthday! What a birthday present.  8) ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: seawolfe on 08/06/2012 06:56 am
Whoo-hoo!  I just woke up and it really IS party time!  Congratulations to NASA, JPL and the hundreds of people all over the globe whose work and soon to utilized experiments, software and hardware on the Mars' newest auto sized rover!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Lars_J on 08/06/2012 07:01 am
Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaargh!!!!!! :D :D :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Capt. Nemo on 08/06/2012 07:17 am
Right after it landed I went to check CNN and FoxNews, and other TV stations. Nothing. No mention of it. I was appalled.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 07:19 am
It's the lead item on BBC news website.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: saturnapollo on 08/06/2012 07:20 am
CNN International covered it all.

Keith
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Lars_J on 08/06/2012 07:26 am
Right after it landed I went to check CNN and FoxNews, and other TV stations. Nothing. No mention of it. I was appalled.

Huh? Both CNN (domestic) and Fox News carried the landing LIVE. NASA feeds with guest commentary. I'm not sure what you were watching..
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mapperuo on 08/06/2012 07:29 am
Right after it landed I went to check CNN and FoxNews, and other TV stations. Nothing. No mention of it. I was appalled.

It's there now on CNN. Did you check it a millisecond after touchdown or something?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: PeterAlt on 08/06/2012 07:30 am
Congrats NASA on its SEVENTH lucky Mars landing!


Woohoo

It's been a good week for NASA and America's space program!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Bubbinski on 08/06/2012 07:45 am
What a night.  The whole lecture room erupted in celebration!  And I got a Mars bar after handing in my Mars quiz that they handed out to us.  It was the first time I took a quiz in a classroom in a very long time.  Brought back some memories.

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Jason1701 on 08/06/2012 07:48 am
http://xkcd.com/1091/
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: seawolfe on 08/06/2012 07:49 am
What a night.  The whole lecture room erupted in celebration!  And I got a Mars bar after handing in my Mars quiz that they handed out to us.  It was the first time I took a quiz in a classroom in a very long time.  Brought back some memories.


British and Canadian Mars bars are way superior to the American Mars bar!   ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/06/2012 07:50 am
http://xkcd.com/1091/

The alt text on that is hilarious.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 08/06/2012 07:53 am
JPL is awesome.

Always been my favourite NASA center.

Well done to all the contractors that helped out too. Without your fantastic technology this wouldn't be possible.

Now I look forward to the mission starting.

The search for life is ON!!!!!!!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: manboy on 08/06/2012 07:55 am
Whoopie! Congrats to to the team at JPL.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: racshot65 on 08/06/2012 08:16 am
Seeing this in all my social media streams  :D  (You have to click to on the image to see the animation)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JUZiMqXPAxU/UB9hXK0uBYI/AAAAAAAAQ5s/NNropowFVIM/s450/B8mDT.gif
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Tea Party Space Czar on 08/06/2012 08:48 am
This was just awesome.  We need some more Odyssey's screaming around Mars so we can consume more data :)  Selfishly speaking, I cannot wait to start looking at the pics!

Did we really have 140 kg of fuel left?  I have seen that in three sources now and that is just simply crazy. 

Respectfully,
Andrew Gasser
TEA Party in Space
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/06/2012 08:52 am
Did we really have 140 kg of fuel left?  I have seen that in three sources now and that is just simply crazy. 

Why? That's called margin. That's also about the same mass as one of two sets of tungsten balance weights that were discarded after various points in EDL.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: TheFallen on 08/06/2012 08:53 am
Congrats to JPL and the MSL team!!!

It's a testimony to all the awesome work done by the fine folks at JPL that Curiosity's landing actually seemed quicker and less eventful, to me that is, than Phoenix's landing in 2008 (I attended Planetfest for both). Just gotta hand it to NASA for making the most daunting achievements look easy...  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/06/2012 08:58 am
Curiosity's landing actually seemed quicker and less eventful, to me that is, than Phoenix's landing in 2008

To me, as well. I think it was because the MSL people appeared to be calmer than the Phoenix folks (some of whom I recognized this time around as well) and more (and more nervous!) event callouts during the powered flight phase.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: bolun on 08/06/2012 10:43 am
Congrats NASA, Great Work!  :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: sanman on 08/06/2012 10:45 am
Congratulations to NASA! Looks like the Force was with you!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: jtrame on 08/06/2012 11:33 am
Congratulations to everyone at NASA-JPL (and the contractors)!

Thanks to NSL we were able to see Curiosity assembled, packed and launched.  We saw the deployment of the cruise stage from the perspective of the TMI stage. We could check in to the JPL site onroute and see the progress of MSL on a schematic.  On NASA Live we witnessed the successful landing event and cheers.  And the first images. Then some of us went back to bed and here we are the next morning waiting for some great descent images at an upcoming press conference.  Thanks Chris for your great website--it ties everything together along with a lot of bonuses along the way.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 11:49 am
It was pretty special to be watching the sim in real time whilst listening to the webcast from JPL confirming that events were unfolding as planned.
I got a bit of a rush when I heard then confirm the decel that showed the chute had deployed- I hadn't realised that we could get that info during descent.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Helodriver on 08/06/2012 11:59 am
First Phoenix and now MSL, These live feeds of landings are nailbitingly good, I give great credit to the team that pulled off these feats of technical legerdemain and make it look easy when they are among the most difficult feats of ingenuity ever attempted. Bravo!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/06/2012 12:03 pm

What the heck is that??  :o

http://liquidthinker.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/life-on-mars/
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Kaputnik on 08/06/2012 01:08 pm
Idly musing over how far the descent stage might have flown. Found a mass for it here (http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.651). Assuming an isp of 300s, the remaining 140kg of prop would give a delta-v of about 392m/s, which is quite a lot really. I've forgotten how to work that out into a maximum throw distance.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: BrightLight on 08/06/2012 01:12 pm
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VpmvQChEvM&feature=player_profilepage
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/06/2012 01:13 pm
I believe they changed the plan so the descent stage cut out 5 seconds after achieving the desired flyaway pitch, it didn't burn to depletion.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: brihath on 08/06/2012 01:33 pm
Congratulations to everyone at NASA-JPL (and the contractors)!

Thanks to NSL we were able to see Curiosity assembled, packed and launched.  We saw the deployment of the cruise stage from the perspective of the TMI stage. We could check in to the JPL site onroute and see the progress of MSL on a schematic.  On NASA Live we witnessed the successful landing event and cheers.  And the first images. Then some of us went back to bed and here we are the next morning waiting for some great descent images at an upcoming press conference.  Thanks Chris for your great website--it ties everything together along with a lot of bonuses along the way.

Amen to this comment.  NASASpaceflight is the first source I turn to for authoritative information regarding spaceflight, not just for the excellent journalism, but for the insightful comments of the membership.  Great job covering this historic event!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2012 02:19 pm
Congratulations to everyone at NASA-JPL (and the contractors)!

Thanks to NSL we were able to see Curiosity assembled, packed and launched.  We saw the deployment of the cruise stage from the perspective of the TMI stage. We could check in to the JPL site onroute and see the progress of MSL on a schematic.  On NASA Live we witnessed the successful landing event and cheers.  And the first images. Then some of us went back to bed and here we are the next morning waiting for some great descent images at an upcoming press conference.  Thanks Chris for your great website--it ties everything together along with a lot of bonuses along the way.

Amen to this comment.  NASASpaceflight is the first source I turn to for authoritative information regarding spaceflight, not just for the excellent journalism, but for the insightful comments of the membership.  Great job covering this historic event!

You're both very kind, although our growing community is actually making it easier to run this site. Last night was a very good example of that:

Chris G - who's one hell of a talented writer - with the main article.

Some of our more regular members automatically keeping the update coverage high on both frequency and quality.

Members who don't usually get involved with live coverage joining in and working out the format for "info and screenshots", taking some of the load off the more frequent updaters.

All members working out the difference between an update thread and other threads during the main events - keeping the mod work low. I actually got to sit back for 30 seconds and just watch that "wheels on Mars" confirmation (which helped as I couldn't type due to shaky hands! :D) as I knew no one would be waiting for me to post it!

Also - and I go on about this but it's still less than 0.1 percent of the visitors to this site - the continued L2 member support. The very reason we still have a site that survived past 2006. Their support pays for the high power servers we have, that ensured we did not have a second of downtime during a VERY high visitation rate. (Without people joining L2, we'd never be able to afford the hosting package that costs.....well, I think we literally keep someone in a job in Dallas! :D)

Can you imagine if this was just a news site? It'd be 100 times cheaper to run (due to the bandwidth the forum eats), but this interactive community really does show its strength during such massive events, and it provides a record. I see people going through the live threads for STS-XXX, years later. I can image there will be people going through last night's thread in 10 years time.

So don't thank me, thank yourselves! ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: dcporter on 08/06/2012 02:33 pm
Thanks, everyone.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: SpaceRock on 08/06/2012 04:16 pm
In the spirit of celebration...

http://bennyhillifier.com/?id=yIUQ3MZ8yMs


Because everything is funnier with benny hill.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/06/2012 06:13 pm
I just realized, leaking the MRO image before the press conference proves it truly is a ROCK STAR!!!

Let's just hope all the fame does not go to it's MastCam! Though, a laser is a great defense against the paparazzi!

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mader Levap on 08/06/2012 06:32 pm
When I seen MSL EDL image, I murmured some very unprintable words... (positive amazement, not anything else, obviously)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: carlosdiazjr on 08/06/2012 06:40 pm
Congratulations to everyone involved with the MSL!  I can't wait for all of the images and science to start coming in...  Truely fantastic!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 07:21 pm

What the heck is that??  :o

http://liquidthinker.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/life-on-mars/


I wonder who was more surprised- Curiosity or Marvin? ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: savuporo on 08/06/2012 07:55 pm
Oh dear ..
https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover
Quote
SarcasticRover ‏@SarcasticRover

Why the hell did I come to this planet? There isn't a Trader Joes anywhere on it! FML.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Mader Levap on 08/06/2012 08:16 pm
I personally prefer https://twitter.com/KillerCuriosity ... take a drink when she mentions meatbags. And lazors. And world domination... you get idea.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/06/2012 08:35 pm

What the heck is that??  :o

http://liquidthinker.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/life-on-mars/


I wonder who was more surprised- Curiosity or Marvin? ;)
Marvin “So I was taking a nap when I heard this sonic boom followed by a crashing sound”… “I then went out for a look and saw this six wheeled buggy thing looking at me”… “I got closer to it I could see some writing on it, I think it’s pronounced JiPpLe”…  “I missed my nap and this thing just stares at me, beeps and now it’s making me very angry”…  >:(
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: iamlucky13 on 08/06/2012 09:06 pm
Hehe...
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spacetraveler on 08/06/2012 09:10 pm
Hehe...
Or this one...

Quote
So you give gold medals for falling into a pool, but I stick a 100,000,000 mile landing and get jack-squat? Thanks, humanity.

https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover  ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robert Thompson on 08/06/2012 10:03 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_the_Paranoid_Android
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2012 10:25 pm
Hehe...
Or this one...

Quote
So you give gold medals for falling into a pool, but I stick a 100,000,000 mile landing and get jack-squat? Thanks, humanity.

https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover  ;D

He's a lot of fun! :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: TheFallen on 08/06/2012 10:27 pm
Hah! Curiosity is about to crash the Olympic Games :D

Awesome Google Doodle
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2012 10:32 pm
Two more:

@AngryGaleCrater
Previously peaceful Martian crater, now occupied by an American SUV.

CuriositySpaceCrane
@MarsSpaceCrane
I helped rover get to Mars. Waiting to go home now.

;D

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/06/2012 10:33 pm
Hah! Curiosity is about to crash the Olympic Games :D

Totally photobombed.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: iamlucky13 on 08/06/2012 10:44 pm
@AngryGaleCrater
Previously peaceful Martian crater, now occupied by an American SUV.


More like a nuclear powered all-terrain vehicle with a frick'n laser on its head, delivered by an ill-tempered flying saucer.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 11:12 pm

What the heck is that??  :o

http://liquidthinker.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/life-on-mars/


I wonder who was more surprised- Curiosity or Marvin? ;)
Marvin “So I was taking a nap when I heard this sonic boom followed by a crashing sound”… “I then went out for a look and saw this six wheeled buggy thing looking at me”… “I got closer to it I could see some writing on it, I think it’s pronounced JiPpLe”…  “I missed my nap and this thing just stares at me, beeps and now it’s making me very angry”…  >:(

Hahahahaha well played sir, well played! :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/06/2012 11:17 pm
Hehe...
Or this one...

Quote
So you give gold medals for falling into a pool, but I stick a 100,000,000 mile landing and get jack-squat? Thanks, humanity.

https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover  ;D

He's great :)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 08/06/2012 11:30 pm
Starting to lean towards the science and away from the engineering now.

Will be interesting how the interest holds up.

Most of these robotic probe threads get the occasional bump from racshot and not much other action.

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: iamlucky13 on 08/07/2012 12:02 am
Curiosity's middle name might be Patience, as it will take time to get everything checked out, including before they are ready to drill

Curiosity was watching the presser:

Quote
I don't care those JPL nerds say, my middle name isn't PATIENCE, it's DANGER… obvs!

https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover/status/232623521971466240
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Norm Hartnett on 08/07/2012 12:22 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcGMDXy-Y1I

Landing video.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: iamlucky13 on 08/07/2012 12:38 am
Starting to lean towards the science and away from the engineering now.

Will be interesting how the interest holds up.

Most of these robotic probe threads get the occasional bump from racshot and not much other action.

As things settle down into routine, I usually find myself focusing on the mission website instead of NSF. While everything is dynamic, it's hard to beat NSF as a aggregator for the best information, and even when it becomes routine, this forum is still the place to discuss what's going on.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: go4mars on 08/07/2012 04:26 am
That landing video is amazing.  This whole thing is amazing!  Well done to all involved! 
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Marine_Mustang on 08/07/2012 04:51 am
Sorry if it's been posted before (I searched but did not find), but Google Earth (Mars view) has been updated with Curiosity's location already.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: marsavian on 08/07/2012 09:05 am
Curiosity's middle name might be Patience, as it will take time to get everything checked out, including before they are ready to drill

Curiosity was watching the presser:

Quote
I don't care those JPL nerds say, my middle name isn't PATIENCE, it's DANGER… obvs!

https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover/status/232623521971466240

https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover/status/232616683162984449

Neil deGrasse Tyson‏@neiltyson

.@b97: Is Mississippi red mud is the same as the red dirt on Mars? // They're both red for the same reason -- oxidized iron.


SarcasticRover SarcasticRover ‏@SarcasticRover

@neiltyson WRONG, NEIL! Mars dirt is red because of all the blood spilt during the Martian Civil Wars! Where did you learn to be science?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: KelvinZero on 08/07/2012 11:00 am
One of the first things I read about the Curiosity rover was that it was about the size of a Mini Cooper.. We can now land a Mini Cooper on Mars. If I had $2.5 billion and cancer, that is definitely how I would like to go..  :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/07/2012 01:03 pm
Guess it would be more comfortable than the Gemini VW bug front seat, but cooped up for 9 months in the front seat?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: rushdrums on 08/07/2012 01:07 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcGMDXy-Y1I

Landing video.

All I keep saying to myself is: "Wow!"

Just wow...

-Rush
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: jumpjack on 08/07/2012 01:27 pm
Wait for 1600x1200 video... ;-)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: KelvinZero on 08/07/2012 01:54 pm
Guess it would be more comfortable than the Gemini VW bug front seat, but cooped up for 9 months in the front seat?

Haha.. that made a lot more sense when I realized "Gemini" was a model of VW.. I know the American program was rushing to catch up at the time, but still..
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: savuporo on 08/07/2012 04:51 pm
Some pretty good talkshow moments about the landing
http://www.politico.com/multimedia/video/2012/08/politico-playback-8-7-12.html

"NASA scientists named it seven minutes of terror - after a woman tried to talk to them in a hallway"
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robert Thompson on 08/07/2012 05:18 pm
The crime scene shots are phenomenal.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/07/2012 06:43 pm
Hmmm... Foxnews is tracking down who the guy with the Mohawk was.

Yep, the only reason the paparazzi are not all over MSL is because Mr. Musk has not sold them a ticket yet!   

btw: Definately offtopic for the update threads, but MSL related

Bobak Ferdowsi,

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/nasas-mohawk-guy-5-reasons-the-internet-is-obsessed-with-him/2012/08/06/960f62da-dff5-11e1-a421-8bf0f0e5aa11_blog.html

http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/06/13147686-nasas-mohawk-guy-marvels-at-newfound-fame-and-mars-mission

http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/06/meet-mohawk-guy-star-of-the-mars-landing/

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/06/bobak_ferdowsi_adam_steltzner_nasa_s_mars_rover_curiosity_team_includes_a_mohawk_guy_.html

Still digging for the tmz link ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Archer on 08/08/2012 07:57 pm
Just a funny picture I've found)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405427_499984583348415_133277750_n.jpg
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Longhorn John on 08/08/2012 09:37 pm
:D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/08/2012 09:42 pm
Just a funny picture I've found

Sheesh, are people nowadays too lazy to even make new photoshops? That's a good one, but it was around when Spirit landed in 2004.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Star One on 08/08/2012 09:52 pm
Just a funny picture I've found

Sheesh, are people nowadays too lazy to even make new photoshops? That's a good one, but it was around when Spirit landed in 2004.

More here, no idea how new or not these ones are.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2184966/Mars-Curiosity-Internet-pranksters-set-work-viral-pictures-help-Photoshop.html
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: rickl on 08/08/2012 10:52 pm
More here, no idea how new or not these ones are.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2184966/Mars-Curiosity-Internet-pranksters-set-work-viral-pictures-help-Photoshop.html

Those are good.  I like the H. R. Giger one best.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Beemer on 08/09/2012 12:01 am
:D


Now that is just hilarious :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 08/09/2012 01:00 am
Have they run out of things to download yet?

What sol will the first drive be on?
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robert Thompson on 08/09/2012 01:02 am
I've been waiting for Transformers.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/09/2012 01:47 am
http://www.cartoonaday.com/images/cartoons/2012/08/mars-landing-cartoon-598x427.jpg
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Nomadd on 08/09/2012 08:08 pm
 I remember, back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, the Seattle Science Center setting up a cylindrical room you walked in and closed the door to after Viking 1 took it's first panorama. You were in the middle of a 360º view of the Martian landscape. It was remarkable.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: KelvinZero on 08/10/2012 09:55 am
(http://i46.tinypic.com/1499ted.jpg)
Annoying bystander hampers $2.5b search for life on Mars.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: ugordan on 08/10/2012 11:20 am
Lol. That's a good one.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: corrodedNut on 08/10/2012 12:12 pm
This is a pretty good one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=voYsnECLduQ
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/11/2012 12:11 am
This is a pretty good one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=voYsnECLduQ

Good 'promo' video

I half expected to see an Autobot come up and grab it with a baseball mitt, or a baby alien in its crib grab for the rover as it descended on its skycrane and play with its 'new toy', or the ground open up just before landing and the planet swallow it whole.  :)

Or at the end of the briefing a stage setup in some building (or out in the great outdoors) where they were filing all this on Earth.

(seriously, these were the things I thought would happen in that video!)

If I could animate I'd have a field day with this material! Hehe
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: aero on 08/11/2012 01:29 am
What happened to Orson Wells' Martians? Haven't seen hide nor eyeball of them!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 08/11/2012 03:49 pm
 ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robotbeat on 08/11/2012 03:57 pm
What happened to Orson Wells' Martians? Haven't seen hide nor eyeball of them!
We are the folks sending the flying saucers with the rock-vaporizing lasers this time. We are the Martians. ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: rickl on 08/11/2012 06:04 pm
We are the folks sending the flying saucers with the rock-vaporizing lasers this time. We are the Martians. ;)

Yep!  Ray Bradbury said as much back in the 1950s.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 08/12/2012 08:59 am
Just looking at the latest pictures the definition is amazing.

Just looking at the different shapes of the rocks wondering how many billions years it took for them to be worn down like that.

Going to be awesome when looking at something that isn't just dusty ground and a hazy crater rim.

This landing site doesn't look to be as exciting as the one Opportunity hit but this is a different mission with different objectives.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/12/2012 12:31 pm
I think there's enough content on this new section to keep it all intact.

So instead of merging it all into the robotic section, I'll make it a subsection and move it down in a few days or so.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robotbeat on 10/13/2012 05:34 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZAvdHqym_I
:)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: cadzilla74 on 10/15/2012 02:13 am
Nice one Robotbeat! Rock on!

I'm personally hoping for more stereoscopic 3-D images from Curiosity considering the advanced imaging capabilities it carries.

(Yeah, yeah. 3-D sucks. It's a gimmick. Blah, blah. Not interested.)

I've spent many happy times completely absorbed by some of the images from Spirit and Opportunity, especially the panoramas.

A couple of glasses of wine, some good tunes playing and sitting back for a moment and allowing my brain to finish being fooled by the 3-D rendering of a particularly good image adds a new dimension of appreciation for me. YMMV

NASA and JPL sites also have libraries of other really well-done 3-D composites from various other missions, such as Cassini-Huygens, and some of them are quite stunning.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Blackstar on 10/15/2012 03:18 am

SNIP


Okay, a shirtless German guy singing. Kinda... icky...
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: mduncan36 on 10/15/2012 03:27 am

SNIP


Okay, a shirtless German guy singing. Kinda... icky...

Oh wow...The guy has guts and his heart is in the right place but next time my wife calls me a dork I'm gonna make her watch this.  ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: KelvinZero on 10/29/2012 11:14 am
From the images thread I get the impression that Curiosity's main activity is spinning donuts and taking potshots at passing rocks. Im just glad we haven't come across any letterboxes yet.  8)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/29/2012 02:12 pm
From the images thread I get the impression that Curiosity's main activity is spinning donuts and taking potshots at passing rocks. Im just glad we haven't come across any letterboxes yet.  8)

I was wondering what the baseball bat was for ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 10/30/2012 12:55 am
Those aren't potshots.

Curiosity is precise.

She's leaving her mark. A real pioneer.

10000 shots? It's like Starship Troopers at Gale Crater  :D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: stevnim on 11/20/2012 11:08 pm
....even better...the xenoarchaeology department...:)
Or more better: xenobiology department.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: fthurber on 11/20/2012 11:39 pm

It the data is at places such as the Geo Departments across the country and scientists such as Tyson are dancing in the halls, I have believe that the data will be leaked out shortly...

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock...

A day or two at the most.... ;)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: meekGee on 11/20/2012 11:45 pm
If I were them, I'd FedEx paper copies to the reviewers, printed on something like this:  http://www.protectedpaper.com

It's not full-proof of course, but this is a game of delay-the-leak, and they only need two weeks...
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kch on 11/20/2012 11:53 pm
If I were them, I'd FedEx paper copies to the reviewers, printed on something like this:  http://www.protectedpaper.com

It's not full-proof of course, but this is a game of delay-the-leak, and they only need two weeks...

"Full-proof" instead of "fool-proof"?  AutoCorrupt strikes again!  ;D
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 11/21/2012 12:10 am
Since Robert insisted we take the speculation on the announcement to the Party thread ( http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29633.msg981817#msg981817 )

Let's break out the Gin and Tonic! Though when I mentioned the Party my wife's first reaction was let's have Water instead!

That would make sense, now if it was carbonated, and maybe had a little ethanol added...
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Rocket Science on 11/21/2012 12:35 am
OK, here is the big news…
Life On Mars… Prairie Dog?

http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2012/10/life-on-mars-prairie-dog-2486006.html
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 11/21/2012 01:11 am
OK, here is the big news…
Life On Mars… Prairie Dog?

http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2012/10/life-on-mars-prairie-dog-2486006.html


Oh that's an easy catch. One good shot from Curiosity's laser, and dinner's served! Just in time for Thanksgiving too! LOL
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 11/21/2012 01:16 am
Well, if it was a martian mouse, I so could see one having already built a nest inside of SAM.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: rickl on 11/22/2012 03:57 am
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robotbeat on 12/04/2012 10:45 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bIy6w_iubSs
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: CitronBleu on 12/06/2012 03:08 pm
Hello,

I am looking for links, reports, PDF documents that describe the technical feasibility of the Sky Crane design.

Did JPL/the Advanced Projects Design Team determine a probability of success for the mission? If so, on what basis?

Is the project approval of the concept available for review?

Thank You!

 

Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: arachnitect on 12/07/2012 05:55 pm
Hello,

I am looking for links, reports, PDF documents that describe the technical feasibility of the Sky Crane design.

Did JPL/the Advanced Projects Design Team determine a probability of success for the mission? If so, on what basis?

Is the project approval of the concept available for review?

Thank You!


You should probably try posting your question over in the Q/A thread, a lot of people won't be following this party thread.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8183.0 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8183.0)

A narrative account of the skycrane selection:
http://youtu.be/SN0y10Nx6rs?t=9m48s (http://youtu.be/SN0y10Nx6rs?t=9m48s)

Also look on NTRS: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp (http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: guckyfan on 01/06/2013 12:31 pm
I didn't want to clutter the update threads so I put this here.

I have seen some pictures of Curiosity's wheels that I have not seen here. They look somewhat damaged already. I hope this is not reason for concern.

(http://www.raumfahrer.net/forum/yabbfiles/Attachments/up027761.jpg)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/06/2013 12:40 pm
I think we just learned, rocks are sharp ;)

I would bet it is a kinda expected result since they used metal and not rubber tires.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Robotbeat on 01/06/2013 07:19 pm
It's not like they've never tested the wheels before sending them to Mars. This isn't unexpected. So no worries.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Jason1701 on 01/06/2013 09:56 pm
I didn't want to clutter the update threads so I put this here.

I have seen some pictures of Curiosity's wheels that I have not seen here. They look somewhat damaged already. I hope this is not reason for concern.

I have seen the test rovers at JPL, and their wheels are just like that, it's supposed to happen.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: guckyfan on 01/07/2013 07:04 am
I didn't want to clutter the update threads so I put this here.

I have seen some pictures of Curiosity's wheels that I have not seen here. They look somewhat damaged already. I hope this is not reason for concern.

I have seen the test rovers at JPL, and their wheels are just like that, it's supposed to happen.

That's good to hear, thanks.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Bugfix on 01/28/2013 05:34 pm
I was in Munich last week and saw this. It's a display by Siemens who supplied software used to construct Curiosity.

But I'd rather like to think that NASA's looking for intelligent life in Munich, or that Curiosity would like to have a Mass of good bavarian beer. :D (For anyone wanting to see it, look in front of the Feldherrnhalle. Dunno if it's still there.)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: spectre9 on 03/13/2013 06:29 pm
Some are dragging the update thread off topic so I thought I'd respond here.

Gale Crater was selected for MSL because the objective of the mission is to search for past habitability by observing the layers of Mt Sharp.

I'd be surprised if future rovers have the same objective and same landing site myself. It would be a waste.

Mars is huge.

Go onto google Earth and click the little planet button at the top and select Mars. Have a look around if you haven't already. We've come a long way from blurry canals.  8)
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/09/2013 02:31 pm
New drinking game, every time someone complains about dents, pits, tears in the rovers wheel take a drink!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: R7 on 04/09/2013 03:05 pm
98 dents and bumps on the wheel, 98 dents and bumps.
Drive around and hit the ground, 99 dents and bumps on the wheel.

99 dents and bumps on the wheel...
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Bubbinski on 05/01/2013 02:38 pm
Today's the day they send commands back to Curiosity after the conjunction.  Now we'll see new images again.  Party on!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 05/02/2013 02:04 am
Today's the day they send commands back to Curiosity after the conjunction.  Now we'll see new images again.  Party on!

Can't imagine how bummed out Ive been without daily updates from Curiosity...it will be a welcome return
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Star One on 05/29/2013 08:45 am
Apparently MSL was carrying animals to Mars!:D

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2332516/Sharp-eyed-blogger-excitable-imagination-claims-spotted-LIZARD-Mars.html
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: Bubbinski on 08/06/2013 02:02 am
One year ago today.....

- we didn't know if Gale Crater was habitable in ancient times
- we didn't have direct evidence of a flowing river (of water!)
- we didn't have awesome pictures of Mt. Sharp and the Gale Crater walls
- we didn't have on site weather or radiation measurements

One year ago today.....

- I was at the University of Utah, as they were hosting a landing viewing party for the public.  I was nervously excited as I sat down, with many others, in a lecture hall where a big screen with live NASA TV had been set up.  And I nervously waited...and then word of success and the first pictures!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 08/07/2013 11:26 pm
On a more humourous side...

"Barbie Introduces the 2013 “Career of the Year,” Mars Explorer Barbie®"

Aug 05, 2013

Girls of Today Can Be the Mars Explorers of Tomorrow.

The Barbie® brand has empowered girls to dream big and explore a world without limits. This year, Barbie® is embarking on a mission that is out of this world with the Career of the Year Mars Explorer Barbie® doll.

In collaboration with NASA, Mars Explorer Barbie® doll launches the first “one-doll” mission to Mars. Ready to add her signature pink splash to the “red planet,” Barbie® doll is outfitted in a stylish space suit with pink reflective accents, helmet, space pack and signature pink space boots.

The 2013 “Career of the Year,” Mars Explorer Barbie® doll enters the stratosphere just in time to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Mars Rover Curiosity landing on August 6, 2013. Adding to her resume of more than 130 careers, Mars Explorer Barbie® doll inspires girls to be adventurous and to always reach for the stars!

SRP: $12.99 | Age: 3+ | Available Now


http://www.barbiemedia.com/news/detail/86.html



and some fallout:

Is Barbie's Mars Explorer doll out of this world?

Jonathan Ore Posted: August 7, 2013 6:27 PM Last Updated: August 7, 2013 6:53 PM

"In collaboration with NASA, Mattel is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Curiosity space probe's landing on Mars with the Mars Explorer Barbie doll."

"For some readers, a few pink accents to grab the attention of little girls appears worth it, especially since the packaging includes information about several women space explorers and was a collaborative effort with NASA itself."

read more here:

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/08/is-barbies-mars-explorer-doll-out-of-this-world.html
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 12/07/2013 01:19 am
Gem from the Sarcastic Rover twitter feed ( https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover )
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: QuantumG on 12/07/2013 01:35 am
Good luck burning coal in CO2.
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: robertross on 12/07/2013 02:00 am
Good luck burning coal in CO2.


Indeed. Maybe a chunk of Magnesium!
Title: Re: SkyCraneTastic! It's the MSL Party Thread!
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/07/2014 01:48 pm
While the party thread posts have been a little thin, it looks like the rover's are still partying it up on Mars:

https://twitter.com/darylholland/status/452962151649402880/photo/1

Quote
New Mars Curiosity Rover pic annotated. @BadAstronomer @MarsCuriosity @elakdawalla pic.twitter.com/3sBDNM559D