{"id":1317,"date":"2011-06-14T21:47:18","date_gmt":"2011-06-15T04:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reinhardkargl.com\/iBlog\/?p=1317"},"modified":"2011-06-14T21:54:52","modified_gmt":"2011-06-15T04:54:52","slug":"goodbye-curiosity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/reinhardkargl.com\/iBlog\/2011\/06\/14\/goodbye-curiosity\/","title":{"rendered":"Goodbye Curiosity"},"content":{"rendered":"

While spending a day at the\u00a0Jet Propulsion Laboratory<\/a> last week, I had a chance to say “good-bye” to NASA’s upcoming Mars rover, Curiosity <\/em>(aka Mars Science Laboratory). Next week, the rover and its descent platform will be crated and driven by truck to a nearby March Air Reserve Base<\/a>. From there, it will travel by cargo plane to Cape Canaveral in Florida for launch.<\/p>\n

In this image, the spacecraft is undergoing final checks. (The rover can be seen on the left. Nearby on the right is its unique “Sky Crane”, a rocket propelled, floating landing platform from which the rover will rappel down to the surface of Mars).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mars Science Laboratory ("Curiosity") being checked before it leaves for the launch pad. Photo: Reinhard Kargl, 2011<\/p><\/div>\n

Here is JPL’s control room. From here, communication with all of JPL’s unmanned spacecraft is maintained around the clock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

JPL Operations Control Center. Photo: Reinhard Kargl, 2011. Click to enlarge.<\/p><\/div>\n

I am very excited about this mission and hope everything goes well. It is very complex for sure. Here is a simulation of how it is supposed to work:<\/p>\n

\n