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ESA to Deploy Mars Express Radar

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the can't-get-enough-of-that-new-mars-topic-icon dept.

fenimor writes "Mars Express was launched on 2 June 2003 and reached the planet on 25 December 2003. After eight months of intensive computer simulations and technical investigations the European Space Agency has given the green light for the MARSIS radar on board Mars Express spacecraft to be deployed during the first week of May. Assuming that this operation is successful, the radar will finally start the search for subsurface water reservoirs and studies of the Martian ionosphere."

9 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. Antenna Boom by teiresias · · Score: 5, Interesting

    After eight months of intensive computer simulations and technical investigations

    if people are wondering why the decision took so long, besides commanding something on Mars, would be the loss or impairment of the antenna boom. Of course they have safeguards and workarounds but if that fails MARSIS is dead in the water. Good luck ESA.

    --
    -Teiresias
    1. Re:Antenna Boom by Adrilla · · Score: 5, Funny
      Of course they have safeguards and workarounds but if that fails MARSIS is dead in the water.
      It'd have to find water first.
      --

      "Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
  2. This is why we need a manned mission! by FortKnox · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Honestly, this is why we need a manned mission to Mars. All these countless robots and satellites wouldn't be necessary if we just sent several men with testing equipment to stay there for a few months. Imagine how much more can be accomplished! Combine all the cost of all the landers and satellites to Mars and compare it to a manned mission. I'm willing to bet the cost will be very similar and more can be done in a shorter amount of time.[tt]

    --
    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
    1. Re:This is why we need a manned mission! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You have to be joking. Even on Earth, remote sensing usually precedes on-ground human exploration, because it allows people to focus on the most likely targets for what ever is of interest. At the very least, people get a map before they head out into the field, which is exactly what probes such as Mars Express are doing. You have to know where to go before embarking on an expensive trip. Half the value of having robots on the surface, such as the MER tag-team Spirit and Opportunity, is being able to put their local, very focussed observations into a broader, global context.

      It is also immensely cheaper and more efficient. Hell, the two MER robots have been on Mars for an entire year, and can keep going as long as they still receive solar energy at reasonable levels and nothing mechanical breaks. Humans are very high maintenance by comparison.

      Humans will get there eventually, but there is no point in going yet without good baseline information.

    2. Re:This is why we need a manned mission! by yotto · · Score: 5, Informative

      I'm willing to bet the cost will be very similar...

      And you'd lose. Keeping people alive in space is EXPENSIVE. They need air, food, a place to poop, things to keep them occupied for months so they don't go nuts, exercise equipment...

      We can send a couple hundred (or less) kilogram probe to Mars on the most cost-efficient multiyear route. To send a couple hundred kilogram human, you'd need to send tons and tons of extra mass just to keep him alive, and you'd need to use a very cost-inefficient trajectory to get him there as quickly as possible, which means tons and tons of fuel.

      Then you gotta get them back.

      --
      Pulp Audio Weekly - Geek News and Reviews
  3. Re:7 months ! by slungsolow · · Score: 4, Informative

    Mars was in its closest orbit in 60,000 years when it launched, so it reached there in 7 months.

    Hence the name "Mars Express".

  4. Delay explained by prgrmr · · Score: 4, Funny

    From TFA:

    follows eight months of intensive computer simulations and technical investigations on both sides of the Atlantic.

    It's good to know they took the time to work out all the conversions to and from metric.

  5. Re:Sub-surface radar? by prgrmr · · Score: 4, Informative

    At 186,000 MPS, it's the strength of the signal, not the distance traveled, that matters. In this context, the distances from orbit are insignificant, and the depth of rock only somewhat less so. It's the echo from the water under the rock that's being returned to the sattelite, not imaging data.

    Googling for info on earth orbiting radar platforms lead me to more info on earth orbiting radar sattelites that you'd ever need

  6. pic by essreenim · · Score: 5, Informative
    Here's a picture of the ^antenna^