Post #198,227
3/12/05 4:10:55 PM
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Spirit gets a panel cleaning by dust devil
[link|http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/spirit_dust_050312.html|http://www.space.com..._dust_050312.html]
This raw image below appears to show a dust devil in the distance (pale thing about 1/2 way across the distant plains). 1997 Pathfinder caught some faint dust-devils in images also.
[link|http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all/2/n/421/2N163745800EFFA890P0775L0M1.JPG|http://marsrovers.jp...A890P0775L0M1.JPG]
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Post #198,319
3/13/05 3:33:12 AM
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Serendipity!
I've wondered since the first, why it is that there was no provision for a 'shaker' of some sort -- could be as simple as a solenoid coil and tether wire; prolly dozens of ways to imagineer it. Yes, everything costs weight, but when you are talking about the mission-life depending upon *known* daily dust build-up:
D'Oh.. Boys
Or maybe.. a tiny pump made of light material; even in thin Martian atmo, a small fibreglass tank could gradually recharge, provide periodic air bursts on demand - think ~windshield washer tubing and an exit nozzle splayed for a wide thin blast. Etc.
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Post #198,327
3/13/05 9:09:16 AM
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The Original Design Spec...
Wasn't for *YEARS*
Was for - ummm - limited number of days.
-- [link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg], [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey[link|http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=134485&cid=11233230|"Microsoft Security" is an even better oxymoron than "Military Intelligence"] No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]
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Post #198,403
3/13/05 11:22:23 PM
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True.. Oh ye Space Geeks of Little Faith
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Post #198,429
3/14/05 3:20:14 AM
8/21/07 6:28:00 AM
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Still, its got a robotic arm
you'd think they could have packed a feather duster.
"Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect" --Mark Twain
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." --Albert Einstein
"This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses." --George W. Bush
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Post #198,441
3/14/05 8:00:07 AM
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Weight savings program wouldn't allow it!!!
As we all know how much feathers weigh!
Golly, Todd. You'd think you knew better.
-- [link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg], [link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey[link|http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=134485&cid=11233230|"Microsoft Security" is an even better oxymoron than "Military Intelligence"] No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]
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Post #198,456
3/14/05 8:51:23 AM
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Nah, the image alone
of the thing with a feather-duster cleaning itself off would have been worth the weight in publicity alone.
I grinned just imagining it myself. Of course, it'd be even better with a French maid outfit, too.
[link|http://www.runningworks.com|
] Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
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Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
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Post #198,503
3/14/05 11:48:43 AM
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ICLRPD (new thread)
Created as new thread #198502 titled [link|/forums/render/content/show?contentid=198502|ICLRPD]
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #198,923
3/16/05 2:03:37 AM
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Arm cannot scratch back
It would have complicated the design to make the arm reach backward. Besides, nobody knows the nature of the dust. A duster might make the problem worse by compressing it. Besides, they figured other parts would have worn out as well. No use fixing one part without consider the others. And the rovers do have joint and wheel problems. They just have not been severe enough to prevent further exploration.
Now that we know about the dust devil effects, a compressed air blower may be the way to go since wind has proven effective.
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oop.ismad.com
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Post #198,431
3/14/05 3:24:12 AM
8/21/07 6:28:04 AM
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dupe
"Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect" --Mark Twain
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." --Albert Einstein
"This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses." --George W. Bush
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Post #198,505
3/14/05 11:51:50 AM
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Scotty Time?
[link|http://www.voodoostevie.com/Article4.html| NASA admits pulling a 'Scotty' with Mars Rovers]
Don't know if it's true as I've not seen an "official" news report.
Darrell Spice, Jr. [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore
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Post #198,922
3/16/05 1:57:34 AM
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3 months was contractual
IIRC, payments to some contractors depended on the 3-month time-table. I don't think they get bonus pay, although it sounds like a good idea, at least token rewards.
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Post #198,978
3/16/05 10:53:59 AM
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While it might not matter to the PHBs...
...I think any engineer who actually worked on the design of the damn things has been becoming more and more radiant with pride since day 91.
I'd be proud to shake any of their hands. Hope that's worth something still...
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not "Eureka!" but "That's funny..."
-Isaac Asimov
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