4/15/2003: New Mars rover
 

http://cellar.org/2003/newmarsrover.jpg

I hadn't seen this yet. This is the "Mars Exploration Rover-2", or merely "MER-2". It's scheduled to be launched at the red planet next month, hopefully with better results than NASA has had so far trying to get to Mars.

Assuming all goes well, there are to be two of these, at two different locations, roaming the Martian surface at a rate of one football field per day. Amongst other things, they'll be looking for signs of water in the planet's past. (There was an IotD image about Martian water before...)

Snazzy wheels!

Damn I wish I could get those wheels for my car, boy those would look good cruising the streets. ;)

It's alway exciting when NASA sends something to Mars. Not just becuase of the discoveries that will be made, but just to see how badly hollywood will exploid the Martian Craze that is bound to take the nation.

Re: 4/15/2003: New Mars rover
 

I noticed that myself. Those hubcaps are definitely form over function. I also wonder about the color coordination. Bright Yellow/Bright Blue. It's even repeated throughout the room. I wonder how much thought goes into that. And how many times these scientists can be quoted as saying "wouldn't it be cool if .."

Are the surgical masks and rubber gloves necessary?

MER 2 will launch a minimum of ten days after MER 1, which NASA has now had to push back to no sooner than June 1 due to issues with the electronics interconnecting the rover, cruise stage and entry stage.

This summer, Mars will be at its closest approach to Earth than ever before in recorded history. Dust off those telescopes, boys and girls, 'cause we're in for a show this summer!

form&function
 

Things that are well designed for their function will be pleasing to the eye -- it's not a matter of one before/after the other, when done right. Can you think of counter examples? (Things that are designed well for their function and yet not nice on the eyes?) Okay, examples other than the skin on your elbows. That doesn't count.

Re: Re: 4/15/2003: New Mars rover
 

Not so sure that the wheels are that way just to look cool. If the yellow material is some kind of foam rubber, the 'hubcaps' look like a coiled spring. I'll bet they are designed to allow the foam rubber to be compressed and push-pull back into a round shape.

In spacecraft design (and these are part of the overall spacecraft design), minimal weight is a goal at every turn. The design of these wheels allow for maximum strength at a minimum weight, as well as allowing them to conform to a wide variety of surface types on Mars. I'm sure that the way they look is the outcome of their functional design, and aesthetics probably are a mere byproduct of the process.

Re: form&function
 

Velcro shoes.

Re: Re: form&function
 

Aiieeee! I just watched "One Hour Photo" Sunday. Creepy.

Re: form&function
 

Women with an overdimensioned pelvis. From the viewpoint of evolution perfect for having lots of offspring. For most people though not quite pleasing to look at. In former times and even nowadays in different cultures corpulent women are seen as higly reproductive and are therefore favoured. Does anybody know when this "skinny women" trend set in?

Re: Re: 4/15/2003: New Mars rover
 

I think they're trying to keep from infecting the Red Planet with terran bacteria, virii, etc. The whole thing is being assembled in a cleanroom. (If we do ship over flora and fauna at some point, they'll hopefully be chosen very carefully...)

Terran life forms are well-known for their tenacity, even in extremely inhospitable environments. So yes, the masks are very necessary.

Definitely going to break out the big 'scope this summer, when I'm in Arizona...

- Pie

Re: Re: Re: 4/15/2003: New Mars rover
 

I vote for kudzu, multi flora rose, and rabbits. ;)

Re: Re: Re: Re: 4/15/2003: New Mars rover
 

Lets not forget nutria, which sounds more like a vitamin supplement than a rodent.

Its a rodent. Its a vitamin supplement. Its the vitamin supplement that tastes like rodents.

Lets not forget hemoragic(sp?) fever.