Monday 6 August 2012

MAIL FROM MARS!



Polaroid from Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory robotic rover, that landed successfully on Mars on 6th August 2012. NASA/JPL.Polaroid from Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory robotic rover, that landed successfully on Mars on 6th August 2012. NASA/JPL.

‘Nuf said !

Lots of pictures below, if you can’t see them at first,
please try Re-loading the page by clicking Ctrl+R or the semi-circle icon next to the website address at the top,
or click here reload this page


D-day on Mars!

The control room at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Califormia came alive as the Entry, Descent and Landing team or “blue shirts” monitored the progress of Curiosity rover, as she landed on Mars. The atmosphere was electric, charged with suspense.

Adam Steltzner could be seen walking up and down the floor, while the rest of his team were sitting on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, the clocks were counting down the seconds and the cold, monotonous voice of the narrator described the events visualised on the screens.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Laptop table. Control room at JPL, 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Nervous wait. Control room at JPL, 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Charles Elachi, Director of JPL and other bosses waiting for news. Control room at JPL, 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Adam Stelzner, Lead of EDL waiting for news. Control room at JPL, 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Computer simulation of entry into Martian atmosphere. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Computer simulation of emergence from upper atmosphere. Landing site on view. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

The first applause came when Curiosity entered the atmosphere. A few minutes later, the team exploded again as the confirmation of a successful parachute opening arrived. As calculated, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) was passing over Curiosity at that precise moment and took pictures of the parachute from above.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Computer simulation of deployment of the supersonic parachute. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Rejoice after parachute deployment. Control room at JPL, 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Computer simulation of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) looking at the supersonic parachute stage. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Pictures sent by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). View of Curiosity and her supersonic parachute. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

Moments later, when the free-fall of the spacecraft was under control, the announcement of Powered Flight was heard, which implied a separation from the parachute. Shortly after another burst of cheers came when the crane separated the rover from the jet-pack.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Adam Stelzner, Lead of EDL in action. Control room at JPL, 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Sky crane stage after the descent stage slows down the fall to a gentle speed. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

But all that cheering was nothing, compared to the explosion of joy with happy laughs, fists in the air, high-fives and emotional embraces, mixed with the occasional sigh of relief that followed the announcement of MSL Touchdown.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Computer simulation model of approximate position of Curiosity landing site. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Pictures sent by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) of Curiosity's landing position. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Celebrate touchdown of Curiosity on Mars, hi-fives. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Celebrate touchdown of Curiosity on Mars, fist in the air. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. Adam Stelzner congratulates EDL colleagues. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts. emotional embraces. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

Eight years of hard work of scientific and technical teams in the US and other countries were finally rewarded with the best news they could hear. The proof of their dedication arrived a few minutes later with the first picture from the cameras mounted on Curiosity, which cemented their irrefutable success.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. The first thumbnail from Mars, sent by the cameras on-board Curiosity. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts celebrate the first picture from Curiosity. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

The first picture showed the Martian horizon as seen from inside the Gale Crater. Just a few minutes later, a second image showed one of the wheels of the rover, standing proud on Martian ground.

Although some dust particles appeared on the lens and in front of the camera at first, the view cleared up soon to allow for more pictures from the front and rear cameras.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Curiosity camera showing the shadow of the rover on Martian ground. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Curiosity camera showing her rear-left wheel firmly on Martian ground. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Curiosity camera showing the shadow of the rover and dust collection. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Curiosity camera showing her rear-left wheel on Martian ground. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Emotional embraces of happiness after the first pictures confirm touchdown and functional status of Curiosity on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Adam Stelzner embraces team members after the first pictures confirm touchdown on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts celebrate touchdown on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team in blue shirts celebrate touchdown on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

The celebrations and congratulations continued and extended to the press conference, where program leaders had the chance to shake hands with everyone from their team and journalist from all over the world had the opportunity to ask questions.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Charlie Bolden, NASA Administrator comments on touchdown on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Charles Elachi, Director of JPL comments on touchdown on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Press conference post touch-down on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Press conference post touch-down on Mars, Procession of Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team to salute the directors. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Peter Theisinger and Adam Stelzner shake hands of team members of the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL). 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Richard Cook, Peter Theisinger and Adam Stelzner shake hands of team members of the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL). 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

Finally, the Entry, Descent and Landing team, in charge of getting the rover to Mars, handed over control of the MSL mission to the Surface Operations Team. From now, they will control and communicate with Curiosity during the duration of the mission, which for the next 2 years will be dedicated to scientific developments.

The celebrations and congratulations continued and extended to the press conference, where program leaders had the chance to shake hands with everyone from their team and journalist from all over the world had the opportunity to ask questions.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Press conference post touch-down on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Richard Cook and Adam Stelzner at the press converence post-landing on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Adam Stelzner explains the successful landing at the press conference. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) team wearing blue enjoy their success at the press conference post-landing on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.
Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Adam Stelzner and John Grotzinger at the press conference post-landing on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. John Grotzinger, Chief of Scientists at JPL at the press conference post-landing on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

The lifespan of MSL is guaranteed for 2 years but designed for 6. Like previous missions it will most likely operate for much longer. Now that Curiosity is on Mars, the most exciting chapter of her history is about to unfold.

Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Victorious JPL team at the press conference post-landing on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.Curiosity MSL lands on Mars. Victorious JPL team at the press conference post-landing on Mars. 6 August 2012. NASA/JPL.

Time for science to take over and let discoveries begin!

No comments:

Post a Comment