Mars Curiosity. Anyone Else Excited!

[Brew-Happy]

And sadly, this is largely being covered nowhere.

lol yeah some of the news sites are sending this to live feeds i guess. Im just watching NASA TV. ok bed time

 

[HopSong]

People still go into space? Whatever happened to the bottom of the oceans?

Sorry to be an ol' poo head.. sorta sorry.. but, I think, for the most part, that this space travel, manned or unmanned.. is a total waste of taxpayer dollars. Two point 7 BILLION can certainly be better used at home. Sure, there are some good things that come out of it.. but, looking for extra terrestrial life has/will not prove fruitful, IMO.

I'd rather spend some of those dollars looking at either the ocean or.. better yet.. 'inner space'.. or even better yet.. buying each of us a top notch brew setup..

 

[bob1852]

2.7 billion is a little more than have of what we borrow, every day.

It's a drop in the bucket.

 

[tally350z]

I'd rather spend some of those dollars looking at either the ocean or.. better yet.. 'inner space'.. or even better yet.. buying each of us a top notch brew setup..

I have to disagree. I am glad that they got smart about the situation and shut down the Discovery missions to focus more on deep space travel. This is the direction that NASA needs to focus more on, sending man missions to mars.
I would much rather we spend our tax dollars on space travel rather than deep sea observations. I mean what would be better discovering a extraterrestrial life or another 5 different types of sea urchin at the bottom of the pacific.

But then again I could use a nice brew stand..

 

[maxamuus]

Two point 7 BILLION can certainly be better used at home.

Inventions as a result of space exploration -

360 Degree Camera
3-D Synthetic Vision Flight Displays
Advanced Hydrogen Sensors
Advanced Lubricants
Advanced Welding Torch
Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheels
Air Catalysts for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Aircraft Collision Avoidance
Aircraft Design Analysis
Airline Wheelchairs
Airliner TV Transmission Via Satellite
AiroCide TiO2 Air Purifier
Anthrax Smoke Detector
Arteriosclerosis Detection
Artificial Heart
Astronaut Plant Bag
Athletic Shoes
Audiometric System for Hearing Assessment
Automated Urinalysis
Automatic Insulin Pump
Automotive Design

Automotive Insulation
BAFCO Linear Actuators
Balance Evaluation System
Biomass Production System for Education
Bioreactor Demonstration System
Bioreactor Human Tissue Growth
Bone Analyzer
Breast Biopsy
Breast Cancer Screening
Bridge Safety Improvements
Cabin Pressure Altitude Monitor and Warning System
Camera on a Chip
Cardiac Pacemaker
Cataract Surgery Tools
Chemical Warfare Hood
Chromosome Analysis
Clean Room Apparel
Clean Water for Homes
Coastal Zone Color Scanner
Compact Blood Diagnostic Equipment
Compact Fire and Rescue Extraction Devices
Composite Forceps
Composite Materials Development – Golf Clubs
Computer Joysticks
Computer-Aided Tomography (CAT Scanner)

Computer Reader for the Blind
Convection Oven
Cool Vest Therapeutic Suits
Cordless Power Tools and Appliances
Corporate Jet Wing Designs
Corrosion Protection Coating
Crop Dusting Improvements
Crop Growing Improvements
DeBakey Heart Pump
Dental Arch Wire
Digital Mammography
Diving Optical Profiler
DMI Remote Sensing Fish-Finding Service
Doppler Radar
Ear Thermometer
Edible Toothpaste
Electric Car
Emission Testing
Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron Remediation
Energy Storage Systems
Engine Coatings
Engine Design
Engine Lubricant
Failsafe Flashlight
Fetal Heart Monitor
Fire Detection Systems
Firefighter Breathing System
Firefighter Radios
Firefighting Equipment
Fireman’s Air Tanks
Fitness Equipment
Flame Detector
Foam-In-Place Seating Technology
Freeze Drying Technologies
Gas Detector
Gasoline Vapor Recovery
Geosynchronous Orbiting
Golf Ball Aerodynamics
GPS Navigation
Helmet Padding
High Temperature Soldering Blocks
High-Pressure Waterstripping
Historical Document Condition Analysis
Home Insulation
Human Tissue Stimulator
Implantable Heart Aid
Improved Aircraft Engines
Inertial Motion-Tracking for Virtual Reality
Infrared Camera
Infrared Thermometer
Insulation
Insulin Pumps
Interactive Computer Training
InTime Agricultural Remote Sensing
Invisible Braces
Kidney Dialysis
Land Mine Removal Device
Laser Angioplasty
Laser Heart Surgery
Laser Wire Stripper
Lead Poison Detection
Lifeshears – Emergency Rescue Cutters
Lightning Protection
Low Vision Enhancement System (LVES)
Lubricant Coating Process
Machine Tool Software
Magnetic Bearing System
Magnetic Liquids
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical Gas Analyzer
Methane-Powered Vehicles
Microelectromechanical Systems
Microlasers
Miniature Accelerometers
Modified Carbon Nanotube Materials
Ocean Fluorometer
Ocular Screening
Oil Spill Control
PackBot Tactical Mobile Robot
Palate Surgery Technology
Personal Storm Warning System
Pesticide-Free Mosquito Killing System
Phenotype MicroArray
Photodynamic Therapy
Physical Therapy
Pill Sized Transmitter
Plantronics Wireless Communications Devices
Portable X-Ray Device
Precision Lightning Strike Location System
Programmable Pacemaker
PRO-SAN Non-Toxic Microbicidal Santizer
Prosthesis Material
Protective Clothing
PureSense Water and Air Purification Systems
Quartz Clock
Radiant Barrier Technology
Radiation Hazard Detector
Real-Time Emergency Action Coordination Tool
Remote Controlled Light Switch
Remote Command and Control Appliances
Ribbed Swimsuit
Robotic Arms
Robotic Hands
Satellite Computer Data Transmission
Satellite Computer Image Transmission
Satellite Crop Growth & Monitoring
Satellite Fishing Technology
Satellite Stabilization
Satellite Telephone Signal Transmission
Satellite TV Transmission
School Bus Improvements
Secure Mobile Router System
Self-Locking Fasteners
Self-Righting Life Raft
Ski Boots
Skin Care Product Effectiveness Technology
Smoke Detector Improvements
Smoke Penetrating Forest Fire Analysis
Solar Power Technologies
Solid State High-Power Transmitters
Space Pens
SpiraFlex Resistance Exercise Device
Stadium Roofing Fabric
Standing Wave Reflectometer Wire Analyzer
Studless Winter Tires
Sunglasses Blocking Harmful Rays
Surgical Brain Tumor Probe
Temper Foam Technology
Temperature Pill
Thermal Gloves and Boots
Thermal Protection Insulation
Three-dimensional Thermal Tomography in Radiation Oncology
Tire Deflating Devices – MagnumSpike
Tollbooth Air Purification
Ultrasound Scanners
Ultrasound Skin Damage Assesment
VEGGIE – Deployable Vegetable System
Vehicle Brake Improvements
Vehicle Tracking
Velcro
Video Stabilization
Virtual Reality
Vision Screening System
Voice Controlled Wheelchair
Warfighter Accelerated Recovery
Waste Heat Energy Conversion
Waste Water Purification
Water Purification
Weight Saving Composite Materials
Welding Sensor System
Whale Tracking Technologies
Windshear Prediction
WindTracer for Tracking Aircraft Wake Vortices
Wireless Communications
ZipNut

 

[TzeentchPlayer]

Ouch. You need some lube for that? lol

 

[bigbeergeek]

I hope the Curiosity mission finds clear-cut evidence for extraterrestrial life that undermines all the world's creation myths. That would be 2.7 billion well spent.

 

[passedpawn]

Inventions as a result of space exploration -

There was a time when the leading edge of technology, technology years ahead of what was known in the private sector, was hidden in the space program. That's not true anymore. Space and satellite engineers find novel solutions to other-worldly problems, but I think that list misrepresents the space programs' contribution to commercial products today.

Still, I'm totally for the program. It's one of the few truly noble efforts still being pursued by mankind.

 

[kellzey]

Not sure where you came up with this list, but Velcro was invented in 1948.

Inventions as a result of space exploration -

360 Degree Camera
3-D Synthetic Vision Flight Displays
Advanced Hydrogen Sensors
Advanced Lubricants
Advanced Welding Torch
Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheels
Air Catalysts for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Aircraft Collision Avoidance
Aircraft Design Analysis
Airline Wheelchairs
Airliner TV Transmission Via Satellite
AiroCide TiO2 Air Purifier
Anthrax Smoke Detector
Arteriosclerosis Detection
Artificial Heart
Astronaut Plant Bag
Athletic Shoes
Audiometric System for Hearing Assessment
Automated Urinalysis
Automatic Insulin Pump
Automotive Design

Automotive Insulation
BAFCO Linear Actuators
Balance Evaluation System
Biomass Production System for Education
Bioreactor Demonstration System
Bioreactor Human Tissue Growth
Bone Analyzer
Breast Biopsy
Breast Cancer Screening
Bridge Safety Improvements
Cabin Pressure Altitude Monitor and Warning System
Camera on a Chip
Cardiac Pacemaker
Cataract Surgery Tools
Chemical Warfare Hood
Chromosome Analysis
Clean Room Apparel
Clean Water for Homes
Coastal Zone Color Scanner
Compact Blood Diagnostic Equipment
Compact Fire and Rescue Extraction Devices
Composite Forceps
Composite Materials Development – Golf Clubs
Computer Joysticks
Computer-Aided Tomography (CAT Scanner)

Computer Reader for the Blind
Convection Oven
Cool Vest Therapeutic Suits
Cordless Power Tools and Appliances
Corporate Jet Wing Designs
Corrosion Protection Coating
Crop Dusting Improvements
Crop Growing Improvements
DeBakey Heart Pump
Dental Arch Wire
Digital Mammography
Diving Optical Profiler
DMI Remote Sensing Fish-Finding Service
Doppler Radar
Ear Thermometer
Edible Toothpaste
Electric Car
Emission Testing
Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron Remediation
Energy Storage Systems
Engine Coatings
Engine Design
Engine Lubricant
Failsafe Flashlight
Fetal Heart Monitor
Fire Detection Systems
Firefighter Breathing System
Firefighter Radios
Firefighting Equipment
Fireman’s Air Tanks
Fitness Equipment
Flame Detector
Foam-In-Place Seating Technology
Freeze Drying Technologies
Gas Detector
Gasoline Vapor Recovery
Geosynchronous Orbiting
Golf Ball Aerodynamics
GPS Navigation
Helmet Padding
High Temperature Soldering Blocks
High-Pressure Waterstripping
Historical Document Condition Analysis
Home Insulation
Human Tissue Stimulator
Implantable Heart Aid
Improved Aircraft Engines
Inertial Motion-Tracking for Virtual Reality
Infrared Camera
Infrared Thermometer
Insulation
Insulin Pumps
Interactive Computer Training
InTime Agricultural Remote Sensing
Invisible Braces
Kidney Dialysis
Land Mine Removal Device
Laser Angioplasty
Laser Heart Surgery
Laser Wire Stripper
Lead Poison Detection
Lifeshears – Emergency Rescue Cutters
Lightning Protection
Low Vision Enhancement System (LVES)
Lubricant Coating Process
Machine Tool Software
Magnetic Bearing System
Magnetic Liquids
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical Gas Analyzer
Methane-Powered Vehicles
Microelectromechanical Systems
Microlasers
Miniature Accelerometers
Modified Carbon Nanotube Materials
Ocean Fluorometer
Ocular Screening
Oil Spill Control
PackBot Tactical Mobile Robot
Palate Surgery Technology
Personal Storm Warning System
Pesticide-Free Mosquito Killing System
Phenotype MicroArray
Photodynamic Therapy
Physical Therapy
Pill Sized Transmitter
Plantronics Wireless Communications Devices
Portable X-Ray Device
Precision Lightning Strike Location System
Programmable Pacemaker
PRO-SAN Non-Toxic Microbicidal Santizer
Prosthesis Material
Protective Clothing
PureSense Water and Air Purification Systems
Quartz Clock
Radiant Barrier Technology
Radiation Hazard Detector
Real-Time Emergency Action Coordination Tool
Remote Controlled Light Switch
Remote Command and Control Appliances
Ribbed Swimsuit
Robotic Arms
Robotic Hands
Satellite Computer Data Transmission
Satellite Computer Image Transmission
Satellite Crop Growth & Monitoring
Satellite Fishing Technology
Satellite Stabilization
Satellite Telephone Signal Transmission
Satellite TV Transmission
School Bus Improvements
Secure Mobile Router System
Self-Locking Fasteners
Self-Righting Life Raft
Ski Boots
Skin Care Product Effectiveness Technology
Smoke Detector Improvements
Smoke Penetrating Forest Fire Analysis
Solar Power Technologies
Solid State High-Power Transmitters
Space Pens
SpiraFlex Resistance Exercise Device
Stadium Roofing Fabric
Standing Wave Reflectometer Wire Analyzer
Studless Winter Tires
Sunglasses Blocking Harmful Rays
Surgical Brain Tumor Probe
Temper Foam Technology
Temperature Pill
Thermal Gloves and Boots
Thermal Protection Insulation
Three-dimensional Thermal Tomography in Radiation Oncology
Tire Deflating Devices – MagnumSpike
Tollbooth Air Purification
Ultrasound Scanners
Ultrasound Skin Damage Assesment
VEGGIE – Deployable Vegetable System
Vehicle Brake Improvements
Vehicle Tracking
Velcro
Video Stabilization
Virtual Reality
Vision Screening System
Voice Controlled Wheelchair
Warfighter Accelerated Recovery
Waste Heat Energy Conversion
Waste Water Purification
Water Purification
Weight Saving Composite Materials
Welding Sensor System
Whale Tracking Technologies
Windshear Prediction
WindTracer for Tracking Aircraft Wake Vortices
Wireless Communications
ZipNut

 

[jprice]

I hope the Curiosity mission finds clear-cut evidence for extraterrestrial life that undermines all the world's creation myths. That would be 2.7 billion well spent.

Who's to say that it would undermine creationism? I always thought it kind of arrogant to believe that if there is a God, we are the only planet he created life on.

 

[bigbeergeek]

Who's to say that it would undermine creationism? I always thought it kind of arrogant to believe that if there is a God, we are the only planet he created life on.

In Christianity/Judaism/Islam, the creation myth is pretty explicit that god created life on earth (there is a single moon and a single sun, etc).

I agree: to believe we are the only life in the entire universe is insanely arrogant.

 

[jprice]

In Christianity/Judaism/Islam, the creation myth is pretty explicit that god created life on earth (there is a single moon and a single sun, etc).

There is also no mention about of the continents of North America, South America, Antarctica, or Australia in the texts of Christianity/Judaism/Islam . Religions have become flexible in accepting many things that aren't written in their sacred texts and the creationism theory will become as flexible to adapt to the imminent discovery of life outside of our world. Sorry haters, creationism is gonna be around a long, long time.

 

[bigbeergeek]

Sorry haters, creationism is gonna be around a long, long time.

No debate there. Once proof of (older) extraterrestrial life emerges however, there will be no relaxing of interpretation possible to encompass that fundamental blunder in mythology: humanity isn't "special" or "first" in the universe. No doubt believers will always flex their standards to perpetuate their beliefs (see: the evolution debate).

Edit: no more off-topic religious banter from me tonight... very excited about this mission and the information it can bring to mankind.

 

[Brew-Happy]

I have to disagree. I am glad that they got smart about the situation and shut down the Discovery missions to focus more on deep space travel. This is the direction that NASA needs to focus more on, sending man missions to mars.
I would much rather we spend our tax dollars on space travel rather than deep sea observations. I mean what would be better discovering a extraterrestrial life or another 5 different types of sea urchin at the bottom of the pacific.

But then again I could use a nice brew stand..

Here is something to consider though since we are now commissioning Russia to send our astronauts into space:

http://nasawatch.com/archives/2011/03/sending-34-bill.html

"NASA has signed a $753 million modification to the current International Space Station contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency for crew transportation, rescue and related services from 2014 through June 2016. The firm-fixed price modification covers comprehensive Soyuz support, including all necessary training and preparation for launch, flight operations, landing and crew rescue of long-duration missions for 12 individual space station crew members."

Keith's note: $753 million/12 astronauts = $62.75 million/astronaut.

No NASA Discount For Soyuz Seats, 2010, earlier post

"NASA has signed a deal worth 306 million dollars (224 million euros) with Roskomos for six rides to the ISS in 2012 and 2013, or a charge of 51 million dollars per US astronaut."

NASA Extends Contract with Russian Federal Space Agency, 2008, earlier post

"NASA has signed a $141 million modification to the current International Space Station contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency for crew transportation services planned through the spring of 2012."

 

[Brew-Happy]

In Christianity/Judaism/Islam, the creation myth is pretty explicit that god created life on earth (there is a single moon and a single sun, etc).

I agree: to believe we are the only life in the entire universe is insanely arrogant.

well as the OP i guess i can respond, but this is definitely not the section for debate on creationism vs. evolution universal or otherwise.

The Bible also mentions the four corners and whole earth even tho people were totally unaware of what was beyond the horizon. God only reveals information at a time when we can really appreciate it. Brewing is evidence of this revelation. Before, making wine or beer was "magic" as they had no clue microscopic organisms made the alcohol. If you were to go back in time and tell people the future include flying like birds and sending messages through invisible transmission, you would probably be stoned for heresy or just general nuttiness.

As it is this is awesome:

(yep worth of two dancing bananas!)

 

[passedpawn]

Video of descent. Dusty down there. Never should have gotten rid of the cleaning lady.


http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=41569

 

[Brew-Happy]

Video of descent. Dusty down there. Never should have gotten rid of the cleaning lady.


http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=41569

That is amazing! Thanks for sharing pp. with that much dust you would think Dyson vacuum company would be a sponsor.

 

[John Done]

The rover was actually made by Boeing and Lockheed Martin engineers, not NASA.