Curiosity Rover

[summilux]

Now this is an engineering! I am in awe of these JPL guys and gals.

[Mabouya]

I think it will be a semi-miracle if they get that thing down in one piece.

Lots of drama next Monday.

[summilux]

An article I read quoted the lead engineer as saying they predicted a 95% chance of success but said that the problem with all disaster simulations was (to paraphrase) "our lack of imagination about how things can fail".

[Honus]

I can't wait to see if it arrives safe and sound- that will be an incredible achievement. It's an incredibly complex delivery system but I have faith they'll pull it off.

You can watch it live on NASA's Ustream- http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv

[Noteddy]

I too, am fascinated with everything about these robots. Odds are against success, about 23/17 by my count. Recent US efforts have done much better, Though I really admire the relative simplicity of the spirit/opportunity missions. Would rather see more of those "cheaper" missions. Cheap and fast sometimes forces more creativity.

I'll be waiting with baited breath to hear.

[Mabouya]

Though I really admire the relative simplicity of the spirit/opportunity missions. Would rather see more of those "cheaper" missions. Cheap and fast sometimes forces more creativity.

True.

But what I think would be THE ultimate would be a Mars sample return to earth. We keep sending these mini-labs over. Often they raise more questions than they answer. What's the crossover point between increased complexity of a "super-duper unmaned lab on Mars" vs the difficulty of a "robot to drill a few core samples and bring them back"?