Slashdot Mirror
Galileo's Final Blaze of Glory
EccentricAnomaly writes: "CNN reports that the Galileo spacecraft is about to perform its last flyby of Io. Galileo will skim a mere 100 km above Io to enter a trajectory that crashes into Jupiter in 2003. This is to avoid the spacecraft running out of fuel and accidentally crashing into Europa which might contaminate it with any bacteria spores on Galileo. This is a real concern - Apollo 12 found bacteria on Surveyor 3 that survived two and a half years on the moon."
I just wish mankind could be this careful with its native planet.
(mod me as you will...)
Sorry, couldn't help myself:
All these worlds are yours - except Europa. Attempt no landings there.
(This should be all caps, damn the lameness filter!)
This is the place where you write something that will make you seem like a complete idiot.
We were warned not to touch Europa.
...that Uranus is ours too? ;)
Moderators:this is a joke.
Do you like Galileo? Do you enjoy open spaces? Do you like crafts? Then you'll love the Galileo spacecraft.
We can strip mine the rest later...
Best Slashdot Co
Yep. Just a few kilograms short. Galileo should give it just enough...
From: drizva@spacedefence.jupiter
To: pcachvoorsnrt@spacedefense.mars
Dear colleague,
We have recently become aware that those naughty Earthlings from the third planet are planning yet another attack on the solar system.
As you are well aware, those nasty Earth people have sent a number of projectiles slamming into your peaceful planet over the last few solar cycles. These atacks have become more sophisticated and have been increasing in numbers over time.
It now appears that a nuclear armed projectile that has been spying on our planetary system will be sent plunging into our atmosphere. The consequences of this act are grave and disturbing to say the least.
As a result of this latest attack, please be advised that we will be redirecting several asteroids from the main artillary field located between our two planets past your peaceful red planet toward the third planet in order to send a firm message to the Earthlings.
You will be happy to learn that once we have obliterated the Earth, you will then have an unobscured view of Venus.
Best Regards,
Drizva
According to the details on the NASA site, one of the cruise highlights was the "Discovery of intelligent life" on Earth. Any ideas where they looked exactly?
Current Time, Somewhere in Nasa Headquarters: Dave and Frank, the Mission Directors, give the order to destroy the probe.
Nasa: Mr. Probe.. Change Heading to 15 Degrees Left, 20 Degrees Up.
Probe: I'm sorry Dave, I can't let you do that
Nasa: Why Can't you?
Probe: I know you and frank were planning to disconnect me.. and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen
Nasa: What the F$%K are you talking about.
Probe: I know you're really upset about this..I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill and think things over.
Nasa: But..
probe: goodby
Click.
Is it too late to make this load of bacteria a little more intelligent?