LIVE: MSL Curiosity Rover ENTRY, DESCENT, LANDING - Aug 5-6, 2012

[anonymous1138]

1.4 kg of fuel left onboard

I heard it as 140.6 kg

It was 1.4Kg, can't be 140Kg- too much.

Jim

Yeah, I figured that number was too high. They must have mis-reported it.

I'm sure I heard 140.6kg. Remember the descent stage started out with 390kg propellant aboard so seems a good number to me, given a smooth descent without complications.

You did hear 140.6, as I did. That's right.

There is a margin, but I didn't think it was that big.

There's an update to this paper (this one is 2006), but I can't find it at the moment:

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20090007730_2009006430.pdf

Page 13 says the +/- 3 sigma fuel consumption should be between 284.2 kg and 312.8 kg. That should have left 77.2 kg to 105.8 kg to spare.

I updated my comment from earlier - probably not a good idea in a fast moving live thread.:

Going from memory, 4 thrusters at 800 lbs each (3200 lbs) and hydrazine Isp at ~230 gives about 14 lbs/sec (6.4 Kg/sec). So, they had about ten seconds of propellant left. Seems about right. Certainly NOT 1.4 kg.

Not sure on these numbers, but think they are close.

[robertross]

[Kaputnik]

Where's Bolden boogying off to?

[Robotbeat]

140kg prop remaining... So they could've landed another 100kg, right?

[Lars_J]

Pure chaos at the moment.  Most seem to have forgotten that this is a press conference...

[robertross]

This place is going crazy!!

[Robotbeat]

Were there this many hi-fives for MER? Are high-fives kind of more trendy now?

[Stardust9906]

[93143]

140kg prop remaining... So they could've landed another 100kg, right?

Wasn't that before flyaway?

[simonbp]

Were there this many hi-fives for MER? Are high-fives kind of more trendy now?

The EDL team is much larger this time...

[Jason1701]

140kg prop remaining... So they could've landed another 100kg, right?

Wasn't that before flyaway?

Correct.

[Moskit]

Russian rad detector, Spanish weather sensors.

Polish uncooled infrared detectors.

[robertross]

Were there this many hi-fives for MER? Are high-fives kind of more trendy now?

Oh let them have their moment in the spotlight... 

[Archibald]

HOLY ----

Touchdown confirmed!

Wooooohooooooooooooooo !!!! Can't believe it. It boggles the mind. Now, go for exploration, were no MER has gone before.

[FinalFrontier]

I still cannot believe it worked, flawlessly to boot.



It looks like they can't either.

[Robotbeat]

140kg prop remaining... So they could've landed another 100kg, right?

Wasn't that before flyaway?

It was kind of a joke. But it does kind of mean this Skycrane system (blah, maneuver, blah) should be capable of an even 1 ton.

[robertross]

The team brough us victory today (like the Olympics)

Great inspiration for young people

[robertross]

"What a deal. This movie cost less than $7 per American citizen"

[alexw]

There is a margin, but I didn't think it was that big.
There's an update to this paper (this one is 2006), but I can't find it at the moment:
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20090007730_2009006430.pdf
Page 13 says the +/- 3 sigma fuel consumption should be between 284.2 kg and 312.8 kg. That should have left 77.2 kg to 105.8 kg to spare.

Going from memory, 4 thrusters at 800 lbs each (3200 lbs) and hydrazine Isp at ~230 gives about 14 lbs/sec (6.4 Kg/sec). So, they had about ten seconds of propellant left. Seems about right. Certainly NOT 1.4 kg.
Not sure on these numbers, but think they are close.

     That's rather more thrust than the weight, no? Something like 3000 pounds-mass, but at only 40% of Earth gravity. Fuel consumption is presumably throttled back.
        -Alex

[ginahoy]

Who is the guy with the mohawk?

Flight director Bobak Ferdowski. Brian Portock mentioned him in today's presser, commenting that his unique hairstyle has been a tradition at big events.

http://whatstrending.com/2012/08/meet-mohawk-guy-nasa-mars-curiosity-livestream/