Animation of ‘Curiosity’ in Action
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With the upcoming announcement of NASA’s selection for Curiosity’s destination on Mars, the video shown below of Curiosity provides a good series of mission “highlights” for those interested in the Mars Science Laboratory mission. A shorter, narrated version of the video is also available, at: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=97718982
The full animation, shows the spacecraft detaching from its launch vehicle, the craft’s approach to Mars and the innovative rocket powered “sky crane” which will use cables to lower Curiosity onto the martian surface. Also featured in the video are sequences showing Curiosity zapping rocks with a laser and examining samples of powdered rock on Mars. Let’s just hope Curiosity doesn’t have any run-ins with any pesky Decepticons.
In a NASA press release MSL Project Manager Pete Theisinger mentions:
“It is a treat for the 2,000 or more people who have worked on the Mars Science Laboratory during the past eight years to watch these action scenes of the hardware the project has developed and assembled,” Theisinger also adds: “The animation also provides an exciting view of this mission for any fan of adventure and exploration.“
Currently scheduled for launch in late November, The Mars Science Laboratory will land on Mars sometime around August 2012.
If you’d like to know more about the Mars Science Laboratory, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/msl or http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/
Source:NASA/MSL Mission Page
Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer
2012-12-04 08:06:23
Source: http://www.dearastronomer.com/2011/07/19/animation-of-curiosity-in-action/
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