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Originally posted by Kwicko:
Let's call it cautious optimism.

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Originally posted by MAL4PREZ:

I admit, in the end that's all I have. I hope it makes it, so I'm rooting for that. The pictures from the other Rovers are just so damned good. I want more.

I cry BS about one thing on the 7 minute video: they say 0% margin of error. No way. They wouldn't have gone ahead if they didn't very well know the margins of errors. Mars has an atmosphere, and I've seen before that there is weather of a sort. What if there is high pressure and the air density is 5% above or below what they expect? Will the landing still work? What if there are winds? What if the orientation of the attitude adjustment engines are 0.5° off? What if the fuel burns 0.1% hotter than they planned in their "ideal case"? What if all those uncertainties make them come in 4° too high? Too low? Can they correct this?

Trust me, these calculations have been made, long ago, and provision and margins of error have been laid in. And yet, the real thing always has surprises.... I really hope the surprises are within acceptable bounds. And that everyone was clear about whether they are using feet or meters.

No, the error analysis for this mission is stunningly interesting to me. I can't imagine what the people who planned this are thinking and feeling right now. Imagine you're a mom who supported your girl's dream to do the balance beam, and now there she is, in the Olympics, about to do the mount in front of a worldwide audience, but she's down there on her own and you're in your seat in the crowd and can't say a thing she'll hear. She will succeed or fail, all on her own.

Yes, I've been watching too much Olympics.

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Originally posted by cljohnston108:
This was the shiniest thing I've ever seen! Congratulations to all involved!

(There's about a 35-second lag in the audio from the NASA-TV feed)

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Originally posted by 1kiki:
THANKS! for the link Kwicko.

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Originally posted by cljohnston108:

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Originally posted by 1kiki:
THANKS! for the link Kwicko.

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You're welcome!

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Originally posted by 1kiki:
Oh, also: "... I wonder if there is a path planned to get out of the crater. Wouldn't it suck if, after all this, they stuck it in a valley where it will just circle and circle? (OK, given the landing they just pulled off, I doubt NASA did something so silly.)" The simulation I saw (somewhere) showed it aiming for the inside of the crater. It seemed like they really wanted to be there for a particular reason.


SignyM: I swear, if we really knew what was being decided about us in our absence, and how hosed the government is prepared to let us be, we would string them up.

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Originally posted by 1kiki:
OH ... OOPS!

THANKS! for the link cljohnston108!

I am still unbelievably pleased. Giddy in fact. And your link was the best cherry on the top ever.

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Originally posted by cljohnston108:
Just a reminder that the best place to see the latest Curiosity images as they come in is here...
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/raw

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Originally posted by cljohnston108:
Favorite ones so far...

SarcasticRover @SarcasticRover
Accidentally ran over an alien - buried it - killed all witnesses - no cops on Mars. Perfect crime!!!
10:36 AM - 6 Aug 12

SarcasticRover @SarcasticRover
Hey does that Mayan calendar bullshit apply to Mars, or can I just watch you all die from here? MAYA2012!!!
9:08 AM - 7 Aug 12

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Originally posted by Kwicko:




"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence [sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero

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Originally posted by AURaptor:

Because voting for political leaders who feel and talk to the spirits of the dead is so much more sane than anything TEA party or GOP voters believe.

Got it.

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Originally posted by AURAPTOR:

Speaking of calendars and time and such there, I find it cool that a solar day on Mars is about the same as a day on Earth. It's like 24hrs, 39 minutes and 35 seconds, give or take.

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Originally posted by MAL4PREZ:
Cool picture of the landing site makes APOD today:

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120811.html

You can see the burn marks made by the stage that dropped it off.

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Originally posted by chrisisall:
Nice pic!!
Hey, is that John Carter in the background?

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Originally posted by Kwicko:

Can you show me any non-Christian Tea Party or GOP leaders? Because every so-called Christian claims to "feel and talk to the spirits of the dead". I'm willing to bet that every political leader you've supported does that.

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And while you're at it, can you show me how a Mars mission is in any way a proper function of government? I mean, I know *I* dig space exploration, but all you "small gubmint!" types really have no place being happy about this mission, do you?

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Originally posted by AURaptor:

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Originally posted by Kwicko:

Can you show me any non-Christian Tea Party or GOP leaders? Because every so-called Christian claims to "feel and talk to the spirits of the dead". I'm willing to bet that every political leader you've supported does that.

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Every political leader DOES do that, and yet you felt the need to omit criticizing those on the Left for doing exactly what those on the Right do.

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And you felt the need to omit any criticism of those on the right for doing it, and singling out and ridiculing one person for it.

Troll much?

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I don't care if elected officials talks to Mr Hat, as long as they can cut back on the lunacy of massive debt that's accumulated.

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Most of which was accumulated under GOP leadership, by the way. You routinely fail to mention that, and you routinely follow GOP leaders who claim that "deficits don't matter." So you don't care who they're talking to, as long as they're speaking your language, eh?

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And why the hell did YOU feel it necessary to interject politics and religion into a thread concerning the Mars Curiosity landing?

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Does NASA not spend taxpayer money on these missions? That makes it political. If you have a problem with religion being brought up in a discussion about science, take it up with your political party and tell them to knock that shit off.

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Yes, we do have a place in being happy about this. Roads and bridges are to the benefit of all, as well as a standing military, for the common defense. I approve of this type of spending, as it doesn't infringe onto the rights of any others, and benefits ALL humanity, not just US citizens.

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Did you just imply that "you didn't build that"?

How does a Mars mission aid the common defense? You're not so stupid as to believe we're being invaded by Martians, are you? (I'm honestly not sure anymore when it comes to what level of lunacy you'll believe)

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Technically speaking, no, it doesn't fall in w/ what the Founding Fathers might have viewed as " the proper function of govt ", but hey... sometimes you gotta say " What the fuck ".

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So you're fine with blowing taxpayer money on stuff just because you get off on it, regardless of whether or not it's a legitimate government function. Just not when it comes to the health of the American people. Got it.



"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence [sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero

Mitt Romney, introducing his running mate: "Join me in welcoming the next President of the United States, Paul Ryan!"

Rappy's response? "You're lying, gullible ( believing in some BS you heard on msnbc ) or hard of hearing."

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Most of which was accumulated under GOP leadership, by the way

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Originally posted by AURaptor:

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Most of which was accumulated under GOP leadership, by the way

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A complete and total lie, by the way. But that's what you do. Say and post anything, no matter how wrong, twisted or distorted from reality.

Meh.

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