The next NASA Mars mission, Mars Science Laboratory - Curiosity, launched 10:02 a.m. EST, Nov. 26, 2011. Near midnight between August 5th and 6th, this mission is to deliver a rover named Curiosity to the surface of Mars. Time of Mars landing: 10:31 p.m. Aug. 5 PDT (1:31 a.m. Aug. 6 EDT, 05:31 Aug. 6 Universal time) plus or minus a minute. This is earth-received time, which includes one-way light time for radio signal to reach earth from Mars.
This rover is the size of a small car and is nuclear powered, instead of solar. It will test new methods of entry and landing. Because of the distance to Mars and the 14 minute signal delay, the vehicle and systems must be programmed to carry out the procedure on its own. For seven minutes, the system will carry out a series of manuevers while scientists wait in suspense here on Earth for word of success or failure. Here is a quick summary of what they hope will happen successfully.
The latest rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are modeled on the left in the next image. They landed in January 2004. Spirit no longer functions. Opportunity continues its mission to this date. The small model rover in the center is Sojourner of the Pathfinder mission. It landed in 1997. These previous rovers are small compared to Curiosity at the right. A closer view of Curiosity is in the second image down.
Clearly, this is a big step up in size and capabilities. The major challenge is getting the large rover to the surface safely. The previous smaller rovers were bundled inside of an airbag assembly for their final descent to the surface once they had safely parachuted to a safer slower speed. The airbags inflated and allowed them to bounce to a stop. They opened up like petals of a flower and out rolled the rover. A totally different and suspenseful approach must be taken for Curiosity.
Please come below the orange orbital insertion diagram for more details about the mission.
PLEASE NOTE: I am away from home and have limited time to tend this diary. I know the readers and trusted users of Kos will be able to answer the questions that might arise. I thank all of you for your help.
What Do the Engineers Think?
A team of NASA engineers share their observations about the descent and landing of Curiosity in this 5 minute video. Many more details about all the things that must go right are explained.
Here is a pop out diagram view of the important descent stages. Click on the image for the enlarged version.
Packaged and Delivered
Curiosity has been packaged within a protective capsule shown here just before closing. The tan colored portion is the heat shield for high speed entry into the Martian atmosphere.
The capsule was enclosed within a protective fairing atop the launch rocket.
After launch and systems were checked, an engine burn gave the spacecraft the necessary boost in speed to escape Earth orbit on its way toward Mars. This video from JPLNews is narrated giving the highlights of the journey and landing in the first 2 minutes. The final 2 minutes describes some of the mission objectives.
First Time For Sky Crane Method
The sky crane method has never been used before for a spacecraft landing on another planet. It is similar to a sky crane heavy-lift helicopter. Curiosity is over five times as heavy and carries over ten times the weight of scientific instruments as the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. Using the airbag technique is not feasible. The Viking 1 and 2 landers used descent engines to successfully power them down to the surface. But, they were not able to move around to new locations after they landed. Curiosity could be brought down in the same way as Viking. The engineers felt the best approach was to lower the rover down from a descent engine which hovers above the surface. This technique allows the rover to be ready to function with the most economical and light weight approach.
The video below shows a test drop of the Sky Crane technique by engineers. What a bunch of happy geeks. I am a geek and proud of it. I know how they feel.
Will It Get Stuck in the Sand?
More Information...
• There will be Kos diaries and up to the minute coverage during the event. Look for those.
• Tune in to NASA TV either through your cable/dish provider if they carry it.
• Tune in to NASA TV online through this link and details on the broadcast schedules.
• Landing Press Kit (5.4 Mb pdf)