Mars Science Laboratory • Non-Gaming • Science & Technology • Eurogamer.net

Fake_Blood 1 Aug 2012 18:22:56 11,093 posts
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Hey dudes.

8.5 months ago, NASA shot about 4 metric tons of high precision milled metal and fuel out of the atmosphere. In 4 days, it will strike it's target, the red planet. That'll show those motherfuckers who is the boss in this solar system.

However, there is a small chance that a frankly crazy landing procedure will actually work and deliver a 1 ton rover to the surface.
Not to worry though, they've equipped it with a rock vaporizing laser and a drill so we're not completely defenseless against whatever is down there producing methane gas.

Unlike previous rovers, this one is running on nuclear power, which will deliver some extra torque for those steep martian slopes. Also, it won't be bothered by stuff like dust or martian winter.

I for one can't wait to see nerds high fiving each other in the control room, and a new batch of desktop wallpapers.

Deleted user 1 August 2012 18:37:12

2:20 - Lunar Lander confirmed for next gen consoles.

DaM 1 Aug 2012 18:53:46 17,729 posts
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frankly crazy landing procedure

You're not kidding there! I suppose they know what they are doing...maybe.

neilka 1 Aug 2012 18:54:10 24,021 posts
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Wait a minute... Are you telling me that this sucker is nuclear?!

Kostabi 1 Aug 2012 18:56:13 5,926 posts
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That landing procedure is ace. Stuff like this always makes me a little sad though as I imagine what they could do with more funding.

Kostabi 1 Aug 2012 18:56:59 5,926 posts
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Also, if the nuclear robot explodes will that be a war declaration to the Martians?

ILoveThrashMetal 1 Aug 2012 19:54:51 1,066 posts
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Looking forward to this.
I think its due about 6.30 am on the 6th of Aug but correct me if I'm wrong.
They won't know its safe and sound for 14mins though as that's how long it takes us to receive the signal (and we moan about lag!!)
A bloody marvel of science and engineering

DaM 1 Aug 2012 22:40:44 17,729 posts
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neilka wrote:
Wait a minute... Are you telling me that this sucker is nuclear?!

Yup! There was protests when it launched, some evil luddites were worried about it exploding at launch and irradiating the Florida Everglades

Salaman 2 Aug 2012 08:34:53 24,162 posts
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So after all that fuss about Korea and Iran developing nuclear weapons, we're now just handing nuclear tech over to the martians!? Wtf!?

I fully expect to see some American produce a similar rant on facebook or twitter.

Fake_Blood 2 Aug 2012 16:14:36 11,093 posts
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Curiosity is a big rover.

Here's a nice landing infographic.

If my calculations are correct, this thing will touch down on monday 6/08 @ 6h31 BST, depending on traffic.

neilka 2 Aug 2012 16:28:24 24,021 posts
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I hope they've fitted it with some seriously large calibre probes capable of giving the Martians a taste of their own medicine.

Fab4 4 Aug 2012 13:40:01 8,924 posts
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Where will people be watching this? Any online suggestions?

Ginger 4 Aug 2012 13:40:51 7,256 posts
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Nasa tv I guess?

Deleted user 4 August 2012 14:08:57

Really nervous about this. The landing procedure just seems so very far-fetched, with its parachutes and sky cranes. But of course, absolutely mind-blowing at the same time.

Fake_Blood 4 Aug 2012 14:37:11 11,093 posts
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Sky crane is a cool name, but dropship is better.

Gitsmith 4 Aug 2012 15:14:26 311 posts
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Pretty exciting times; I have all my digits crossed.

mal 4 Aug 2012 15:18:50 29,326 posts
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You just know with a name like that they'll discover life on Mars but it'll turn out to be a cat.

Fake_Blood 4 Aug 2012 17:49:33 11,093 posts
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If anyone is as bored as I am, the prelanding briefing is going on right now.

http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl

MrWorf 4 Aug 2012 19:02:57 64,187 posts
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I really hope the heat shield comes off!

Khanivor 4 Aug 2012 19:29:23 44,800 posts
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Saw the thing take off. Shame I can't be as close to see the landing.

Fake_Blood 5 Aug 2012 07:53:37 11,093 posts
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You saw it take off? That's so awesome, how was it?

Here's all landing times for locations around the world, looks like tomorrow 6:30 for you island folks.

Right now, Curiosity is closer to Mars then the moon is to earth.
And after flying for nearly 9 months, it just hit it's target window smack in the middle.

Edited by Fake_Blood at 07:53:59 05-08-2012

Ged42 5 Aug 2012 09:54:59 7,985 posts
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Is that the time it lands or the time we find out, its about a 20 min delay isn't?

I read somewhere that the rover is about the size of Mini, ( I wish it looked like one too) must be pant filling scary at mission control waiting for something that big to not make a new crater on Mars.

DodgyPast 5 Aug 2012 10:32:51 9,353 posts
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That made me consider the possibility of a successful landing, rapidly followed by destruction due to a random meteorite impact.

sport 5 Aug 2012 18:28:31 17,064 posts
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Are they streaming this "live" by any chance?

sport 5 Aug 2012 18:35:21 17,064 posts
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Cheers