Comments on: A problem with drilling on Mars https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/a-problem-with-drilling-on-mars/ Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:52:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Competential https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/a-problem-with-drilling-on-mars/#comment-252137 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:52:54 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=30358#comment-252137 In reply to Tom Billings.

55 minutes into this lecture, the “Scarecrow” version of Curiosity is explained.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures_archive.php?year=2014&month=8

]]> By: Competential https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/a-problem-with-drilling-on-mars/#comment-247337 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 21:48:53 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=30358#comment-247337 In reply to wodun.

We might simulate real time telerobitcs on Mars from Earth! This is such a great idea, I hope it can be tested with Curiosity. Its operations are painfully slow today. If this works it could work 24/7 always with geolocists at its steering wheel, I recommend that you watch this talk:
“Telexploration: How video game technologies can take NASA to the next level”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeSGuGw4aJU

]]> By: Competential https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/a-problem-with-drilling-on-mars/#comment-247307 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 21:39:03 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=30358#comment-247307 In reply to Tom Billings.

Yes, they can eject the drill bit. They even have a couple of drill bits in reserve, stored on the front of the rover, which the arm can change to if one would break. All systems seem to have back-ups. If a Martian train ran over Curiosity, it would still be able to work and do some science. It could loose four wheels and still move around. That rover will be with us for a decade.

]]> By: wodun https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/a-problem-with-drilling-on-mars/#comment-246941 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 19:00:18 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=30358#comment-246941 Too bad we don’t station our telerobotic operators a little closer.

]]> By: Tom Billings https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/a-problem-with-drilling-on-mars/#comment-246736 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 17:29:57 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=30358#comment-246736 Even if there is nothing wrong on *Curiosity*, the terrain itself could threaten the mission when drilling. If you drill into ground where there is ice to melt, from friction heating, and that water mixes with the soil, you could easily get a clay that grips, or several other possibilities that leave the drill stuck in the ground. Is there a mechanism to eject the drill if it gets stuck in the ground?

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