NASA's Curiosity picks up new skills

[potato3732842]

Whenever I hear about them doing cool new things with the various space probes and rovers I can't help but think the situation was along the lines of "now that we're done with the core mission stuff and Sauron's gaze has averted (i.e. management has a new shiny to care about) we can really play cowboy putting it through its paces".

[Bluestein]

I would not discard this is oft where a lot - if not most of the actual discovery happens ...

... pushing the envelope.-

[johnklos]

It's a little bit nitpicky, but I really wish technical people wouldn't generalize incorrectly:

"...maximizing the life of the MMRTG for more science and exploration down the road"

Will the MMRTG's plutonium decay more slowly if more electricity is used? No. So where's the value in generalizing poorly?

[zokier]

More generous reading of the entire sentence would be that the usable life of the mmrtg is increased by improving the energy efficiency of the rover. The mmrtg power output is constantly decreasing, and so it is reasonable to say that the mmrtg reaches end of life when the power output is not enough to operate the rover. So that cutoff point depends on the power demands of the rover.

[hnuser123456]

Yeah, sloppy writing. They're maximizing how quickly they can complete tasks by multi-tasking and enter sleep mode sooner, reducing recharge time and reducing the amount of energy wasted on systems that are in active standby. They rediscovered race to idle.

[colechristensen]

>I really wish technical people wouldn't generalize incorrectly

I really wish technical people from other fields wouldn't come in and nitpick so much when the meaning is obvious.

>Will the MMRTG's plutonium decay more slowly if more electricity is used?

Nobody would think this is what they meant.

[paulmooreparks]

From the article:

> Providing ample power for the rovers’ many science instruments, MMRTGs are known for their longevity (the twin Voyager spacecraft have relied on RTGs since 1977). But as the plutonium decays over time, it takes longer to recharge Curiosity’s batteries, leaving less energy for science each day.

[protocolture]

>maximizing the life

Getting the most out of its life. Doing more science per time remaining. It reads fine to me.

[Bluestein]

Good point-

I guess in a way less overall consumption might prolong life? (heat, wear on the electronics ...)

[russellbeattie]

Over the next year, Curiosity and other exploration programs will most likely be shut down as a waste of taxpayer money.

The administration has proposed a 50% cut to NASA's budget for the next fiscal year, but Congress pushed back and it looks like it'll "only" be a ~25% cut. Still a total bloodbath.

It's incredibly sad that we're seeing the dismantling of American science by leaders who have no understanding nor respect for it. The damage being done to our country right now is incalculable.

[colechristensen]

I'm sick of people blaming leaders. The people voted for this. The entire country is in a bad place, we are not being held hostage by our elected leaders, we created this monster through our actions and inactions.

[Intralexical]

> For example, Curiosity’s radio regularly sends data and images to a passing orbiter, which relays them to Earth. Could the rover talk to an orbiter while driving, moving its robotic arm, or snapping images?

Love the imagery this conjures.

One man band Curiosity, patting its head and rubbing its stomach at the same time!

[shmeeed]

Go Curiosity!

[accrual]

I hope one day Curiosity will be an exhibit in one of the first Martian exploration museums established on the red planet. The rover can stand proudly in warm, cozy structure after decades of research on the brutal surface.

[svdr]

When images of Mars are shown on social media, there always is a flood of 'Devon island, Canada' comments, so depressing!

[simpaticoder]

One of the most curious aspects of the internet is how it creates the illusion of providing insight into public opinion. There is a strong desire to understand not only what is happening in the world but also how people are responding to it. In the absence of more reliable indicators, we tend to rely on whatever signals the internet offers. Even when, as internet- and media-saavy technologists, we know very well how personal behavior is distorted by anonymity, the desire for attention and clout, and the lack of accountability. Why do we all (and I include myself) so easily and often forget this simple truth, and fall into the trap of believing the world population consists mostly of the ignorant and malicious people that haunt public comment sections?

[Intralexical]

That makes Devon Island, Canada sound really cool, though.

[thread_id]

Does anyone consider the possibiity that this site and content are neither NASA nor JPL? The URL is suspicious and certificate is not trusted.

Update: It's actually my Safari Browser which is giving me this message. Works fine on google.

[slater]

It's JPL's site, under NASA.gov. It's legitimate, and the certificate works for me.