Landing a laboratory on planet Mars
April 10th 2009 05:31
Category: No Category
MSL large parahute array
Landing a laboratory on planet Mars. This will be one of NASA’s most ambitious projects so far.
Due to be launched in 2012 MB landing a rover on the planet the rover is the size of, small car. The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) will be the most technologically advanced rover produced so far.
MSL rover
The landing will use the largest parachute ever used in NASA space history the parachute will be at least 55 feet wide. Because of the mass of the MSL airbags won’t be enough to make the landing,a combination of large parachute retro rockets and a sky crane will be used to land the rover on the surface.
Rover comparions between past and future
As the MSL descends through the Martian atmosphere the large parachute will deploy this will slow the rover significantly. A tether will also deploy lowering the rover gently towards the surface of the planet. At the right moment retro rockets will complete the final leg to achieve touchdown. This will be the largest rover sent to Mars so far. It will much larger than Spirit or opportunity.
| 59 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
The power will be generated by a radioisotope power system that generates electricity from the heat of plutonium's radioactive decay. the power source is similar to the one on the Voyager space craft and is still going ofter 30 odd years.
This power source gives the mission an operating lifespan on Mars' surface of at least a full Martian year (687 Earth days)
It is expected that the Rover will travel many hundreds of Kilometers during its life span.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Earth and Mars could have been twins.
Mars is often refered to as a failed Earth.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Kristin Wolgemuth
Poetry Lighthouse
Time to Get Up Club
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
If you want to do something to help those less fortunate in the dismal economy, attend a tea party and complain about the insane taxes and pork that the government is stealing from future generations under the guise of "stimulus" packages and bail outs that never work.
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
S.L.
Mars has a thin atmosphere, it have seasons.
The summer can get to around 21c winter is pretty cold.
The seas evaporated many eons ago but there is plenty of frozen water below the surface of Mars.
Mars has polar ice caps. we are indeed fortunate here on Earth if our moon was not present our seas would be dry. We are just far away from the Sun that our climate is ideal for us to survive. and Just enough tilt in our axis to give us a very good living.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief