Guest #1 December 21, 2003 In this BBC News report, the ESOC at Darmstadt has reported that the Beagle 2 Mars lander was successfully separated from its mothership and is now on a solo trajectory that will take it to a landing on the surface of Mars on Christmas Day. Next stop, Isidis Planitia! In a humorous note, project scientist Colin Pillinger was asked what would happen if organic life was found on Mars. "I won't have any difficulty in getting money for the next mission," he said.... What's exciting about this mission is that data collected from the lander will be relayed via the Mars Odyssey - the US will play a vital role in this British initiative. Also noteworthy is that the Mars Express was launched on a Russian booster. It's this kind of cooperation that will pave the way for mankind to one day walk on Mars. Go Beagle!!! mh On the web: ESA Mars Express [url "http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html"]NASA Mars Rover"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #2 December 21, 2003 Quote Also noteworthy is that the Mars Express was launched on a Russian booster. It's this kind of cooperation that will pave the way for mankind to one day walk on Mars. As well as world peace. Wouldn't that be nice.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #3 December 21, 2003 That sight doesn't have too much technical info about the s/c. Bummer for a space geek like me. Have to dig to find out a couple of things I'm interested in.Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,159 #4 December 21, 2003 Where's Ivan? www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=819308#819308... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #5 December 21, 2003 All the repost police comments as of late must have made him sensitive to the issue.... anybody know what type of solar cell they were using on this baby? Just curious.Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vonSanta 0 #6 December 21, 2003 Yurop Yurop Yurop! Ze furryners beats ze EHVL AMREEKHANS! Deth to Amreekhans! Long live Ze Fourz Reich (EU). I really need to have this insomnia problem resolved... Santa Von GrossenArsch I only come in one flavour ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #7 December 21, 2003 Quote I really need to have this insomnia problem resolved... Me too.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #8 December 21, 2003 Its the usual Brit thing... Great concept, lousy timing Beagle won't find life on Mars. It's landing on Christmas day. Obviously ALL the Martians will be at home opening their pressies and too busy to go out and meet the spaceship. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #9 December 21, 2003 idly wonders what the odds for Beagle's success are in Vegas? arent we 'batting' something near .333 for mars probes?____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,121 #10 December 21, 2003 >anybody know what type of solar cell they were using on this baby? Just curious. I believe they are using three-layer (gallium indium phosphorus, gallium arsenide and germanium) cells on the rover. Such cells have shown efficiencies as high as 34% in the lab. That's critical on a mission like this, since the greater distance from the sun and the potential for dust accumulatin means less power to begin with. Expected power is 900Wh per day, dropping to 600Wh per day as dust accumulates. Interestingly, the rover will use lithium ion batteries with radioisotope heaters to keep them warm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #11 December 21, 2003 Quoteidly wonders what the odds for Beagle's success are in Vegas? arent we 'batting' something near .333 for mars probes? "Oh shit, you mean you were using metric? I was using standard...shit." --NASA Engineer--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
