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Download the Public Version of the Software NASA Uses to Operate Mars Rovers
spaceref.com ^
| 3 Jan 04
| Keith Cowing
Posted on 01/03/2004 11:44:09 AM PST by RightWhale
click here to read article
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Try it, see if NASA takes over your computer
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2
posted on
01/03/2004 11:44:52 AM PST
by
Support Free Republic
(I'd rather be sleeping. Let's get this over with so I can go back to sleep!)
To: RightWhale
Possibly your Solaris system comes within their purview....
To: RightWhale
Kewl, thanks. Now how about plans for building a model rover? :)
4
posted on
01/03/2004 11:50:20 AM PST
by
NonValueAdded
("Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." GWB 9/20/01)
To: NonValueAdded
Kewl, thanks. Now how about plans for building a model rover? :) LOL I was thinking the same thing for my son.
5
posted on
01/03/2004 11:59:09 AM PST
by
Professional Engineer
(3JAN ~ I SAW my unborn child move this morning!!)
To: NonValueAdded
http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/status.html
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2003 1930 GMT (2:30 p.m. EST) Mars Exploration Rover officials will be holding a status briefing for reporters at 3 p.m. EST today. We will provide an update shortly thereafter. The Spirit rover remains set to land on Mars at 11:35 p.m. EST tonight!
6
posted on
01/03/2004 11:59:15 AM PST
by
RightWhale
(Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
To: Mrs Zip
ping
7
posted on
01/03/2004 12:03:13 PM PST
by
zip
To: Professional Engineer
Rover is kind of large for an RC model like you would find at Radio Shack. If you want a real-ish computer-powered model, that would be something. Part autonomous robot, part controlled. Add a 10-minute delay before the model Rover responds to commands, and you have come close to the actual situation. You'll end up a robot engineer.
8
posted on
01/03/2004 12:03:36 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
To: Professional Engineer; RightWhale
Here we go!
9
posted on
01/03/2004 12:10:39 PM PST
by
NonValueAdded
("Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." GWB 9/20/01)
To: NonValueAdded
Rocker-Boogie Mobility System. There are a few of us around still.
10
posted on
01/03/2004 12:14:40 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
To: NonValueAdded
Are them firestone tires?
To: thiscouldbemoreconfusing
Made of metal. They could be used to scrape away a surface layer from a suspicious rock so the interior of the rock could be analyzed.
12
posted on
01/03/2004 12:54:56 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
To: thiscouldbemoreconfusing
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/rover_sidebar_030416.html Robotic Rockhounds: What's on Board
By Tariq Malik, Staff Writer
posted: 07:00 am ET, 16 April 2003
Cameras
Each of the MER robots will carry nine cameras to fulfill their mission:
Panaramic Camera (Pancam) - The most advanced color imaging system ever sent to another planet, Pancam will use twin cameras mounted on a mast to survey the Martian terrain. The high-resolution system can rotate in a complete circle and can swing up to 180 degrees up or down. A collection of about 14 filters will allow observations across the light spectrum.
Microsopic Imager (MI) - Located at the end of the rover arm, MI is a one part microscope and one part CCD camera. It should provide close-up, black and white images of rock surfaces and interiors exposed by the rock abrasion tool.
Navcams and Hazcams - The MER robot carries four hazard cameras, two in front and two in the rear, beneath the rover deck. These cameras watch the ground for obstacles that may pose a danger to the MER. Two navigation cameras, to help engineers direct the MER, sit alongside the Pancam on the rover mast.
Spectrometers
The rovers will also use a trio of spectrometers to make observations across the light spectrum:
Miniature Thermal Emissions Spectrometer (Mini-TES) - Located near the Pancam atop the rover mast, this instrument will determine the mineralogy of rocks and soil from hundreds of meters away. Mini-Tes will help researchers identify targets for the rover to move toward.
Mössbauer Spectrometer (MB) - This sensor for this spectrometer is located on the robotic arm, and will allow researchers to study iron-bearing minerals and the magnetic properties of surface materials.
Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) - The APXS will determine the chemistry of objects studied by the rover arm by observing their alpha particle and x-ray emissions. Most observations will be taken at night, and can take up to 10 hours to take.
Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT)
A grinding tool at the end of each rover's arm will eat into specific rocks to expose interior stone untouched by the effects of weather on Mars. It can create a hole 2 inches wide (45 millimeters) and one-fifth of an inch (5 millimeters) deep. Once exposed, other tools on the rover arm can analyze the rock.
Magnet Arrays
The MER robots carry three sets of magnets each, one pair of magnets on the robotic arm and another pair on the vehicle's front end and a stronger single magnet on the rover deck. Each set varies in strength and should study magnetic minerals in Martian dust and the planet's geologic history.
Not in Radio Shack inventory of RC cars
13
posted on
01/03/2004 1:08:02 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
To: RightWhale
This will give a big boost to my Remote Mowing Project (RMP). Say you're in Europe on business, but the lawn needs to be cut. Just crank up your laptop and get to work.
14
posted on
01/03/2004 1:37:23 PM PST
by
searchandrecovery
(America - Welcome to Sodom & Gomorrah West)
To: RightWhale
Totally cool. Am sending out the site to friends....
15
posted on
01/03/2004 3:00:36 PM PST
by
Mamzelle
To: Mamzelle
16
posted on
01/03/2004 3:05:31 PM PST
by
ChadGore
(George W. Bush has done more to earn my vote than any other American alive today.)
To: RightWhale
Note: This is a
40M (39,4333 KB) download. (over 2 hours on dialup)
17
posted on
01/03/2004 3:10:42 PM PST
by
ChadGore
(George W. Bush has done more to earn my vote than any other American alive today.)
To: ChadGore
Did anybody actually do the download?
18
posted on
01/03/2004 8:06:42 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
To: RightWhale
Yeah, smooth install. Loaded right up. Looks like it'll be pretty cool once we're able to view actual pictures from Mars as they're coming in from the rover.
MM
To: MississippiMan
Good. Thanks. Might get some kids away from their X-Boxes for a few minutes.
20
posted on
01/03/2004 8:21:55 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
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