Stupid Guest Tricks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki_Af_o9Q9s

August 5

That is an awesome video. And how did it end?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/scien ... -mars.html

Very nice, JPL.

Can you imagine the initial conversation where this plan was developed?

"So, I was thinking... while the capsule is hanging by a chute, it can release the probe with a jet pack and crane attached. The jetpack can fly it to the right place, then the crane can lower the probe to the surface while the jet pack hovers above. Once the probe is on the suface, it relases and the jetpack flies away. What do you think?"

Queue the stange looks directed at the crazy person. It's really amazing that this is the safest plan they could come up with, but what a feat of engineering. Kudos to everyone who worked on this. I can't wait to hear what they find out over the course of the mission.

Well, you know, past iterations of Mars landing devices consisted of giant balloons surrounding the landing module and it bounces around for a while until it hopefully ends up upright. Good luck making it end up where you want it.

Big Wallaby wrote:Well, you know, past iterations of Mars landing devices consisted of giant balloons surrounding the landing module and it bounces around for a while until it hopefully ends up upright. Good luck making it end up where you want it.

Very true. If I didn't know that Sid was hauling garbage, I'd think maybe he was designing things.

Let's see... wrap it in bubble wrap and chuck it out the window.

No, no, even better! Take the parachute from G. I. Joe, the jet pack from Buzz, and the claw from Pizza Planet...

:twisted:

well I was just about to post a topic on this but the marsupial beat me to the punch. From watching the live feed early today, it was very exhilarating to watch. Though the seven minutes didn't seem like terror to me, all very calm and smooth.