Posted on 09/19/2023 10:08:26 AM PDT by Ezekiel
Flight 59
Sol 915
Date Sept. 16, 2023
Horizontal Distance 0 m 0 ft
Max. Altitude 20 m ~66 ft
Max . Groundspeed 0 m/s 0 mph
Duration 142.6 seconds
Route of Flight Airfield Sigma
Flight Log
Flights
59
(as of 9/16/23)
Distance Flown
13,304 meters
(~43,652 ft)
Highest Altitude
20 meters
(~66 ft)
Fastest Ground Speed
6.50 m/s
(14.5 mph)
Flight Time
~106.5 minutes
(6,393 seconds)
Ping for the Ginny the Mars Hovercraft..
JPL sends a signal to it with flight coordinates. It then does the rest.
Put Eight Miles High by the Byrds on the digital sound system and it will go higher.
Followed by Sly and the Family Stone I Want to Take You Higher.
Is there an altitude equivalent to Earth for Mars? I assume that the Mar’s atmosphere Density is different than on Earth.
It is.
Is there an altitude equivalent to Earth for Mars?<<<
Hmmm. I have no idea how that might work though. In my dreaded school dayz, I loved math but hated physics. It always seemed like some kind of hijinks had to be involved . 🙃
“The average surface pressure is only about 610 pascals (0.088 psi) which is less than 1% of the Earth’s value.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Mars
I think it would be something like 100,000 feet.
Hmmm... The average surface pressure is only about 610 pascals (0.088 psi) which is a bit more that 1/2 of 1% of what it is on Earth. Gravity on the other hand is a bit les than 40% of what it is on Earth. Anyone know how fast the rotor spins?
Some facts from the website
https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter/#Quick-Facts
:
-Weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg)
-Solar-powered and recharges on its own
-Wireless communication system
-Counter-rotating blades spin about 2,400 rpm
-Equipped with computers, navigation sensors, and two cameras (one color and one black-and-white)
I wonder if a hydrogen blimp would work in that thin atmosphere?
How is the battery charged? Coupling/decoupling from a solar panel ground station?
Is it like a drone more than a helicopter/rotary wing aircraft . . .
What a job for the aeronautical designer/engineer!
Mars’ atmosphere density is nearly nonexistent compared to that of Earth.
Mars ==> .095 PSI
Earth ==> 14.7 PSI
Geologically, this tiny chopper is so valuable.
Instead of just picking up rocks or drilling holes, we have a complete panoramic view of the horizon and hundreds of square meters of land around every geology sample.
Anyone here remember 1957 TV shows...
Re: Matt Damon - The Martian
A very good movie, and I thought Damon was excellent.
However, the basic premise of that movie appears to be completely wrong.
The atmosphere of Mars is less than 1% of the density of the atmosphere on Earth.
Clearly, high winds on Mars can cause dust storms.
However, in the movie, the first Martian explorers have to abandon Matt Damon (who they think is dead) because their Mars Lander Vehicle is about to be blown over by a huge dust storm.
In my opinion, you would need wind gusts that were thousands of MPH to blow over that Lander.
Perhaps the added mass of the dust - and substantially less gravity on Mars - would increase the risk of blowing over the Lander?
But, I still find that risk level very hard to believe. As far as I know, wind speed on Mars during huge dust storms is always below 100 mph.
It’s really is an outstanding view. Totally new perspective for the rovers and beyond.
Ginny’s been fun to follow. I just figured it be a nice mini-topic to watch for a couple months, and now 2 1/2 years on.. still going strong.
Whirlybirds...
Ha, great timing. Well, off-topic I suppose, but
It’s hummingbird migration season. Our plump summer regulars are on their way, but we have plenty of thirsty travelers passing through.
They’ve sure been fueling up. We’ve got honeysuckle flowers, butterfly bushes, and quite an assortment of the annual flowers that they love.
And of course a couple of feeders, kept clean and refilled.
It’s a veritable oasis out there.
Signed, long-time member of the Syrup Chain. 😀
Image taken by Ginny on 9-16-23. I presume that's her shadow.
Ginny’s shadow videos: there it is, life on Mars!
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