The Most Expensive Tool? How about The Mars Rover

[DSLTRK]

Just wanted to let you guys know that the Rover is landing on Mars in about 30 minutes. Coverage is on the NASA channel right now, and probably on some news networks.

 

[ipabrewer]

landed successfully!

 

[DSLTRK]

Pictures are being shown! It's amazing that they landed a rover on a planet over 300 million miles away!

 

[kidney]

That was awesome.

 

[oldtools]

Congrad to those that work on the project. That was an gold metal landing.

 

[thammel]

I worked on the project! We made the MMRTG, the nuclear powered electric generator that is mounter to the Curiosity Rover and provides electric power. I spent a lot of time and many meetings at home and at JPL doing analysis and projections of performance. Very cool! I'm psyched!

Tom

 

[OEXL16B]

Is the Curiosity looking down at the ground in this picture?

What's that in the lower right corner?

 

[jmauld]

Looks like a front tire to me.


Congrats to the people that made this happen!! Everyone in my house is very proud of your accomplishments!

 

[metaldad]

Is the Curiosity looking down at the ground in this picture?

What's that in the lower right corner?

him!

 

[oldtools]

I worked on the project! We made the MMRTG, the nuclear powered electric generator that is mounter to the Curiosity Rover and provides electric power. I spent a lot of time and many meetings at home and at JPL doing analysis and projections of performance. Very cool! I'm psyched!

Tom

Good job!! Your hardwork paid off. So far it seem to work flawlessly. I hope this would excite the young kids to pursue science and engineering. This is what I want to see my tax money going to and not going to keep some serial killer alive for the rest of his live.

Go buy yourself a nice tool to reward yourself. You deserve it.

 

[OEXL16B]

Watch this:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20110624.html

 

[BigTJ]

Thats a cool vid.

 

[thammel]

You see a wheel in the photo. The rover does not actually have tires, but the wheels are machined out of aluminum and the "treads" are anodized aluminum.

Tom

 

[DSLTRK]

You see a wheel in the photo. The rover does not actually have tires, but the wheels are machined out of aluminum and the "treads" are anodized aluminum.

Tom

I'm guessing rubber or similar material wasn't used due to extreme temp changes?

 

[t100]

Is the Curiosity looking down at the ground in this picture?

What's that in the lower right corner?

it rolls on some *****'n 20's, yo!!!

 

[thammel]

Yep, Mars surface temp ranges as high as 360F. The diurnal swings in temp are pretty serious.

Tom

 

[camarotoolman]

Another waste of tax dollars.

 

[bczygan]

Mars Rover=Most expensive tool?......was it made by SO?