Slashdot Mirror


Hope for Mars Polar Lander?

Dave writes "According to this article at MSNBC, it looks like NASA might have received faint radio signals from the Mars Polar Lander which had been assumed lost." Don't get your hopes up on this one; the signal could have come from anywhere, and they're running tests now.

3 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. ...and Nasa listens... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5

    *CRACKLE* *CRACKLE* *BZZZZZZZZZZT****
    *WIRRRRRRRRRRIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIRRR*
    *DRIBLE*
    Nasa Scientist: Hmm, wait a minute
    PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTT
    PHHHHT
    FFFFFF
    FFFFFURRRRR
    Nasa Scientist: Yes! Yes! Someone write down the sounds!
    FURRRRRSSSSS
    FURSSSSSST
    PPPPPEHH
    PPPPPOOO
    POOOOOOOO
    POOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
    POOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSTT
    *CRACKLE* *CRACKLE*
    Nasa Scientist: What did they say? WHAT DID THEY SAY?!?!?!
    2nd Nasa Scientist: Uh, he said: "First Post", sir.
    Nasa Scientist: Humm.

  2. New SETI@home task? by hanway · · Score: 5

    According to the article, it took weeks to make out the signal because it was so weak. It may turn out to be nothing, but if extra number crunching would help, I'll bet SETI@home participants could spare a few hundred thousand CPU-years to help pick up the signal.

  3. "could have come from anywhere" by konstant · · Score: 5

    emmet sez..

    Don't get your hopes up on this one; the signal could have come from anywhere, and they're running tests now.

    Yes. It could be from some typically mundane source like outer space aliens. In my opinion, there should be regulations to restrict interstellar subspace communications to a few designatede bandwidth. With all the noise in this solar system I have difficulty contacting Command Zorb (weebles upon him!) in the Delta Quadrant. How am I supposed to receive my orders clearly when my brainwave transmissions are suffering from interference? For example, yesterday I was speaking with Commander Zorb (long may he froop!) in my head when an outer space alien interrupted with a comment that I should kill my family.

    -konstant
    Yes! We are all individuals! I'm not!

    --
    -konstant
    Yes! We are all individuals! I'm not!