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chaloobi
SFN Regular
1620 Posts |
 Posted - 10/27/2006 : 10:17:35 [Permalink]
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Here's something you probably didn't know about the Mars Rovers:
quote:
The Spirit and Opportunity rovers were named through a student essay competition. The winning entry was by Sofi Collis, a third grade Russian American student from Arizona.
I used to live in an Orphanage.
It was dark and cold and lonely.
At night, I looked up at the sparkly sky and felt better.
I dreamed I could fly there.
In America, I can make all my dreams come true.....
Thank-you for the "Spirit" and the "Opportunity"
— Sofi Collis, age 9
I'd wondered now and again why they chose those names. The truth just struck me as very sweet...
EDIT1: the link...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Exploration_Rover
EDIT2: Regarding the software used to control the rovers, you can get your own copy through a link in the quoted article...lol...
quote:
The NASA team uses a software application called SAP to view images collected from the rover, and to plan its daily activities. There is a version available to the public called Maestro. Maestro is written in Java so it will run on many different platforms including Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, Solaris, Linux, and Irix. The software, along with companion datasets, can be obtained from Maestro Headquarters
(same link as above) |
-Chaloobi
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| Edited by - chaloobi on 10/27/2006 10:21:02 |
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Fripp
SFN Regular
USA
727 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2006 : 13:24:28 [Permalink]
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How dare Mars be so gol-danged BORING!
Doesn't Mars know that if doesn't compare with the latest Michael Bay crap-tacular movie, that America will change the channel and watch Dancing with the Stars? |
"What the hell is an Aluminum Falcon?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought my Dark Lord of the Sith could protect a small thermal exhaust port that's only 2-meters wide! That thing wasn't even fully paid off yet! You have any idea what this is going to do to my credit?!?!"
"What? Oh, oh, 'just rebuild it'? Oh, real [bleep]ing original. And who's gonna give me a loan, jackhole? You? You got an ATM on that torso LiteBrite?" |
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Vegeta
Skeptic Friend
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2006 : 13:55:07 [Permalink]
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| They shoulda spent all that money on something more scientifically productive. |
What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?
"I was asked if I would do a similar sketch but focusing on the shortcomings of Islam rather than Christianity. I said, 'No, no I wouldn't. I may be an atheist but I'm not stupid.'" - Steward Lee |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2006 : 14:09:39 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Vegeta
They shoulda spent all that money on something more scientifically productive.
Like what? |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Vegeta
Skeptic Friend
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2006 : 14:28:08 [Permalink]
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| Like designing a replacement to the space shuttle |
What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?
"I was asked if I would do a similar sketch but focusing on the shortcomings of Islam rather than Christianity. I said, 'No, no I wouldn't. I may be an atheist but I'm not stupid.'" - Steward Lee |
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Vegeta
Skeptic Friend
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2006 : 14:55:47 [Permalink]
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| Or what would be really interesting, since its becoming clearer that mars is dead, what I';d like to see happen is if they introduce a whole bunch of organisms, such as bacteria lichen etc. And see whats still kicking in 20 years time. Thats never gonna happen unfortunately |
What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?
"I was asked if I would do a similar sketch but focusing on the shortcomings of Islam rather than Christianity. I said, 'No, no I wouldn't. I may be an atheist but I'm not stupid.'" - Steward Lee |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2006 : 19:10:56 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Vegeta
Like designing a replacement to the space shuttle
Given the Shuttle's history (and the promises with which it began), why would anyone waste the money that way? |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
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Vegeta
Skeptic Friend
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 02:38:34 [Permalink]
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| well the shuttle is still needed. Hubble needs repairing, the ISS still needs visits. And NASA is obviously well behind on getting a new model in production. |
What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?
"I was asked if I would do a similar sketch but focusing on the shortcomings of Islam rather than Christianity. I said, 'No, no I wouldn't. I may be an atheist but I'm not stupid.'" - Steward Lee |
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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Vegeta
Skeptic Friend
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 10:26:23 [Permalink]
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| you don't think any life could exist there? Life has evolved to live in extremely harsh conditions on this planet, although I don't think it could ever spontaneously appear on mars, I think there are at least some bacteria that could exist on mars. Of course my idea was an experiment, if in 20 years time everything had died, then you'd be learning something. |
What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?
"I was asked if I would do a similar sketch but focusing on the shortcomings of Islam rather than Christianity. I said, 'No, no I wouldn't. I may be an atheist but I'm not stupid.'" - Steward Lee |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2006 : 20:30:41 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Vegeta
well the shuttle is still needed.
Right, but what need is there for a replacement for the Shuttle?quote:
Hubble needs repairing...
Which has to happen long before there's a replacement for the current Shuttle.quote:
...the ISS still needs visits.
That thing should never have gone up in the first place. You want to complain about lack of results and a waste of money, the ISS should be your poster child!
The Mars Rovers have cost about $865 million from launch 'til now, as far as I can tell. That is about 67% of the total (non-marginal) cost of a single Shuttle flight. Each calendar year the rover missions are extended runs about $10 million, or one-sixth of just the marginal cost of a single Shuttle flight. And by the time the US stops spending money on the ISS in 2017, it will have spent almost $100 billion on that project, including $35 billion in Shuttle flights. Hell, the entire Apollo program is estimated to have cost only $135 billion in today's dollars, and the ISS certainly isn't doing nearly as much for us.quote:
And NASA is obviously well behind on getting a new model in production.
No, they should have had plenty of time. Each Shuttle was designed for 100 flights. Discovery has 68 left, then. Atlantis can do 73 more, and Endeavour is up for another 81. At even a brisk six flights a year, the design life of the vehicles has another 37 years left. But the "mandatory" retirement of the Shuttle will occur in 2010, with NASA hoping for only 16 more flights between the three, total. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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