Europe's first Mars rover mission is now on its fourth rocket: SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.
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After a saga of broken promises, a European rover finally has a ride to Mars
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More power to this mission and may it be so..
There are plenty of other people/countries still interested in doing real science (as well as the embattled staff at NASA itself) - anything that helps towards that end is a species win.
There are plenty of other people/countries still interested in doing real science (as well as the embattled staff at NASA itself) - anything that helps towards that end is a species win.
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This is exactly the kind of mission that should be funded, clear scientific goals, near zero chance of human tragedy, cooperation with ESA, exclusion of Roscosmos, when Russia isn't obeying international boarders...
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ESA cancelled their collaboration with the Russians after Russia made an unprovoked attack on another country and entered into a collaboration with the US which also has started attacking other countries without provocation.
Snide remarks aside, I hope they can finally launch the rover. I'm hoping we can get some useful data back.
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The Rosalind Franklin's MOMA instrument will be the first to be able to analyze the chirality of Martian organic molecules. Life often strongly prefers molecules of a particular handedness to their mirror images, whereas natural processes tend to produce equal quantities of both (although there are some exceptions). If the rover notices the presence of some types of homochiral organic molecules, that would be very interesting indeed.
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SpaceX? Really? Then you wonder why Musk comes onto white nationalist rallies saying their party should be in power and to kick out immigrants in European countries like Germany. Keep empowering musko. This is BS!
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I very much doubt Musk will even notice whatever small profit he makes from this one rocket launch amidst his pile of billions.
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Mars has been SpaceX's mission for a long time now and finally they'll have a chance to launch something to Mars.
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ubercurmudgeon
Ars Tribunus Militum
I believe, according to ESA's website, the maximum drill depth is 2m, which is more like 6'7".
Edit: Please forgive the units pickiness, but it is a sore spot for fans of Mars exploration in particular, ever since Mars Climate Orbiter (and that wasn't even an international collaboration.)
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Plenty of time before launch to break the promise again. ESA woulod be surer launching it on an Ariane 64.
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Iran has a long history of sponsoring terrorist and cyber attacks against US targets, so as stupid as Trump's war is, calliing it unprovoked isn't entirely justified. Plenty of other derogatory adjectives that apply, mind you.
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Great to see this mission inching toward a launch.
Has someone checked they're not millimetering, though?
Too soon?
Has someone checked they're not millimetering, though?
Too soon?
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Ahem, that cuts both ways, historically...
"The USA has a long history of sponsoring terrorist attacks and armed coups against Iran democratic targets, so as stupid as Iran's hypothetical bombing of Washington D.C. would be, calling it unprovoked wouldn't be entirely justified…"
But enough of politics in a space thread, please.
Fingers crossed the ESA mission goes swimmingly!
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If it arrives on Mars safely in 2030, at least a few years before any future US landing on the Moon, I'd call that more like "decimetering", Sir! ;-)
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Oh he noticed. He noticed how he can use this as leverage to get what he wants. Would not be surprised if he at one point tells ESA that they will have to use a trampoline to get things in orbit.
Or... he does this because he is bored.
Oh well... we will see. Kids these days...
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ReadandShare
Wise, Aged Ars Veteran
EU needs to be serious about its military and Space commitments. But it likely won't - unless it (somehow) gets booted out of all NASA programs. Just like China is barred.
China managed to orbit, land and operate a rover in Mars all in one go. Sometimes, getting cut off from outside help can be a helluva incentive!
EU, you've been too dependent for far too long! Not saying you should cut off ties (that would be ridiculous), but you need to develop your own objectives, expertise and infrastructure. Space exploration isn't just hitching one or two rides.
China managed to orbit, land and operate a rover in Mars all in one go. Sometimes, getting cut off from outside help can be a helluva incentive!
EU, you've been too dependent for far too long! Not saying you should cut off ties (that would be ridiculous), but you need to develop your own objectives, expertise and infrastructure. Space exploration isn't just hitching one or two rides.
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The fact that SpaceX has no involvement in this project, or any other unmanned Mars exploration project, beyond supplying the launch vehicle should tell you volumes about how seriously you should take Musk’s vision of a Mars settlement.
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What a coincident. Just a week ago I visited ESTEC, ESA's R&D site in the Netherlands, and got a short look into a Mars surface test area. My guide bemoaned the endless waiting for a ESA rover to successfully reach another body. I guess Thursday's confirmation that it now really flies (will fly? may fly? Let's not jinx it) gave him a big smile of relief.
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