NASA's flagship Mars rover was encased in a protective aerodynamic shell this week in preparation for its move to the launch pad next week. The Mars Science Laboratory, nicknamed Curiosity, is targeted to blast off at 10:25 a.m. Nov. 25 -- the day after Thanksgiving -- from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station atop an Atlas V rocket.
The compact car-sized rover, the biggest yet bound for the Red Planet, is scheduled to be hoisted on a transporter Tuesday and rolled from Kennedy Space Center's Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility to Launch Complex 41 overnight Wednesday.
Curiosity's 10 science instruments will search for evidence about whether Mars has had environments favorable for microbial life, including chemical ingredients for life. The mission's launch window extends to Dec. 18, after which the right planetary alignment wouldn't come around again for two years. If launched successfully, the rover would be expected to land on Mars next August to begin two years of science research.
The total cost to develop and operate the mission is estimated at $2.5 billion.
IMAGES: In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 25, preparations were under way to enclose NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) in an Atlas V rocket payload fairing. The blocks on the interior of the fairing are components of the fairing acoustic protection (FAP) system, designed to protect the payload by dampening the sound created by the rocket during liftoff. The fairing will protect the spacecraft from the impact of aerodynamic pressure and heating during ascent. Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
1 comment:
Total lies concerning man able to survive going to Mars. It would take a wall of water enveloping the spacecraft at least several meters thick, to protect the occupants from deadly cosmic rays. http://news.discovery.com/space/mission-to-mars-health-risks-110718.html
And even if it's just Mars Rovers going there, WHAT IS THE POINT? Is it to further scientific research on a diverse array of Mars rocks?
Not to mention that it is an ongoing HEALTH HAZARD to anyone even going into outer space earth orbit. Why are we subjecting human beings to this madness? Oh yes, the "conquering of space, the final frontier" brainwashing of the 'baby boomers'...who are now in charge.
http://tinyurl.com/cm367ex
Doesn't it appear that all of NASA's posts are so glamorous and seeming well-intentioned? Think again. They have an agenda to militarize space with their warmongering technology, at the expense of our atmospheric envelope and all life that depends upon our 'ocean of air'.
At NASA's environmental cleanup page,
http://www.ssc.nasa.gov/environmental/cleanup/clean.html, it says, "We take full responsibility for any problems caused by past practices and ensuring the protection of the environment and the health of the surrounding community."
That's all well and good, now what about the ongoing SOLID ROCKET FUEL program? Is this present technology ensuring the protection of the environment?
Here is the censored TRUTH of how NASA really salutes its veterans:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-08/space-shuttles-and-rocket-launches-caused-1-billion-toxic-pollution
Float to space instead of rocketing there, and accomplish everything at a mere 25 miles altitude that was being done, 14X further, at 350 miles out.
Even the Space Station and Hubble Telescope would operate better at this altitude. Why? Because the highly toxic SOLID FUEL ROCKET BOOSTERS are left out of the equation.
With the commercialization of space looming, this toxic mess is going to EXPONENTIALLY increase with automation. Henry Ford went from one Model T to 250,000 Model T's in only six years.
Also, documentation of how Nazi turned into NASA, and still continues to wage war upon our environment.
What does HELEN CALDICOTT have to say about this ongoing insanity...endorsed by Obama?
http://darinselby.1hwy.com/floattospace.html
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