Spirit Landed Successfully, sending pictures

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the successful landing of NASA's Spirit rover on Mars and the subsequent transmission of images. Participants express excitement and share links to coverage, while also raising questions about the capabilities of the associated Opportunity rover and the significance of the images being sent back.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants celebrate the successful landing of Spirit and share links to additional coverage.
  • Questions arise regarding the specific objectives of the Opportunity rover compared to Spirit, with some suggesting that Opportunity will explore a geographically distinct area.
  • A participant mentions a metallic glint observed in Spirit's photos, speculating about its potential connection to Viking missions.
  • There is inquiry about whether a proposed quantum cascade laser for atmospheric analysis was included in the rover's equipment.
  • Humorous exchanges occur regarding the interpretation of soil markings near the lander, with references to "footprints" and the media's portrayal of such findings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express excitement about the rover's landing and share information, but there are unresolved questions regarding the capabilities of Opportunity and the significance of the images from Spirit. No consensus is reached on these points.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions reference the need for maps showing past and present landing sites on Mars, indicating a potential gap in available resources for participants seeking to understand the context of the rovers' locations.

enigma
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Great News,

NASA's Spirit rover has landed and is transmitting.

http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/home/index.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Ivan has a better link here
 
Originally posted by Phobos
Space.com's complete coverage...
http://www.space.com/marsrover/

Way to go NASA!
The associated rover, Opportunity, is scheduled to land Jan 24!

I was wondering about this. What will Opportunity do that the previous rover didn't do before? And isn't the rover still in good condition?
 
Originally posted by Jeebus
I was wondering about this. What will Opportunity do that the previous rover didn't do before? And isn't the rover still in good condition?

Yes, Sprit is in excellent health. Opportunity will land on the opposite side of the planet, and in an area geographically dissimilar to any site we have previously examined.

A friend of mine recently heard talk of a metallic glint in one of the Sprit photos, and the possibility that it might be a distant glimps of Viking. I am certain the individual was talking about the images taken by Mars Global Surveyer, but I found myself unnable to map out in my mind where MER-1 is in relation to Viking and Pathfinder. Does anyone know where I might find a map of Mars showing past and present landing sights?
 
Does anyone know if the proposed quantum cascade laser for atmospheric analysis was included?
 
Originally posted by Evo
Does anyone know if the proposed quantum cascade laser for atmospheric analysis was included?

You're a nerd?

I hadn't noticed this with all of the discussion about your wall eating dog, drooling Zoobie, drooling Zooby, chocolate, and the masturbating bear.

My sister called and mentioned the "footprints" in the soil next to the lander. At the time I was not aware of the interest in the airbag's skid marks - the clumpy soil shots - which are what she had seen. I started laughing and assured her that such an event would yield 24 hrs news coverage and announcements from the president. She assumed that we had seen these "footprints", the press had shown everyone, and now we just proceed like it's no big deal.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
You're a nerd?
One of my personalities is. :wink:

I hadn't noticed this with all of the discussion about your wall eating dog, drooling Zoobie, drooling Zooby, chocolate, and the masturbating bear.[/B]
Hey the masturbating bear is chroot's!

My sister called and mentioned the "footprints" in the soil next to the lander. At the time I was not aware of the interest in the airbag's skid marks - the clumpy soil shots - which are what she had seen. I started laughing and assured her that such an event would yield 24 hrs news coverage and announcements from the president. She assumed that we had seen these "footprints", the press had shown everyone, and now we just proceed like it's no big deal.
That's too funny. Quite imaginative to see "footprints".
 

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