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NASA Launching Two Mars Rovers in June
shaniber writes "NASA is planning the launch of the Mars Exploration Rovers this month. The rovers are scheduled for two two separate launches, between June 5th and July 15th. These rovers will both work as robotic geologists, including a human-eye height panoramic camera and a miniature thermal emmision spectrometer amongst their scientific equipment. NASA plans on webcasting the launches, as well. A press kit, with many more details, is also available as a pdf."
So the mission is to find evidence of past water on Mars, huh? I hope at least one of the rovers lands in a puddle.
"Nothing shocks me. I'm a scientist." -Indiana Jones
Oh dear. More cute rovers buzzing along the surface only to be abandaned later.
I felt sorry for that one a few years back. Kind of like leaving a puppy when you move.
My studio - www.graylands.ca
I hear NASA specifically designed these new rovers to make a beautiful plume of dust when they crash into the Martian soil due to unforseen programming errors.
Earthbound telescopes should all be trained to the heavens to catch this marvelous use of taxpayer money.
A long time ago, people used to hide on ships thats headed for various places, for one reason or another.
My question is: does anybody think it would be possible (let's assume one can get past the security, etc) to be a stowaway onboard the mars-bound spacecraft, if I don't plan to come back?
I mean, a spacesuit + a oxygen + urine/feces bag + yourself does not weight THAT much; and the acceleration won't kill you going up anyway.
So... what y'all think? haul ass to Mars, dig a shallow grave, and write in really big letters nearby: FIRST HUMAN HERE, BIATCH!
(i am not trolling, btw - in philosophy this would be considered a "thought excercise")
My life in the land of the rising sun.
I never had you guys down as nationalist but I have been disapointed by many of the recent comments on /.
You never saw americans as nationalist? You must already have been on Mars for the past few years then.
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
Then the Martians will come up (practical jokers that they are) and put silly putty in the robotic hand and some lady Martian's thong underwear on the robotic arm.
Harpo Tunnel Syndrome--my wrist feels funny.
If their estimates for launches in this month include the 15th of July.
Yes, for example such as the discovery of America :-)
Joke aside, I think that competition as well as cooperation is good. And here, I kinda see both.
Don't bring any foam!
Bad joke..
Which level of hell do you belong on.
ROBOT WARS!
Beagle-2 has Rover-A up against the pit! Beagle-2 is charging!!!!
Oh that's got to hurt! Rover-A is ducking out of the way and giving Beagle-2 a quick whack with the rock abraision tool!
The cocky brit recovers but the solar panel is cracked. Yes that's right folks, the beagle-2 solar panel is definitely cracked, and has lost some of its power generating capabilities.
But wait! what's that under the ground??? the mole probe from beagle-2 is ripping up Rover-A's aluminium rocker bogie wheels!
Oh the humanity! they're joined together! they're rolling into the pit!
Where's the ref bots???
Mars???? It's already June!!!
"It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton LaVey
"Mom! this stereograph doesn't work! there's a rock in the middle that doesn't pop up."
"Hmmm... Well junior, that's because in the second photo that rock has grown little legs and moved to over there... Hey!"
Can you imagine the U.S. watching China build and man a moon base?
Sweet! Ever have that astronaut ice cream they sell at the Smithsonian Air & Space museum? Blech...if the Chinese get there first we'll be able to get take out and have our space suits pressed and cleaned.
Unfortunately, I signed up to have my name delivered on the Mars Polar Lander. I guess my name did make it to Mars, as a teeny-tiny collection of letters.
this sig deleted by another sig
In six months time you will be getting email offering surgery-free tentacle enlargement, low-low rate Mars Express credit cards (ahem) and cheap inkjet refills.
Best wishes,
Mike.