Space/Science

MER heatshield

Nick Hoffman — 12/27/2004 12:32:29 PM (archived)

Interesting image that Daniel Crotty has compiled from the raw filters. I was interested in this one because it showed less of the odd red glint on the surface - a much more natural looking brightness, with just a hint of orange.

The image is quite useful for details of the heatshield, too. It appears to show the texture of the "hot" side of the heatshield as well as a nice X-section through the broken material, showing a lighter brown altered layer on the surface about 1/4 or 1/3 the thickness of the whole TPS. There will be closer shots in the next week or so but for now, it looks as if the TPS material is distinctly over-engineered for this job.

Next time we can land more useful mass and less protection?

http://www.lyle.org/~markoff/processed/1P157305976EFF40A3P2578L234567M1.JPG

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (23 posts)

• MER heatshield - Nick Hoffman - 12/27/2004 12:32:29 PM
  • Closeup on the other Heatshield Section - Daniel Crotty - 12/29/2004 6:58:22 PM
    • This is a nice piece of work - Gary - 12/30/2004 6:44:18 PM
    • re: Closeup on the other Heatshield Section - Tom Brosz - 12/29/2004 9:36:46 PM
      • No, it's a red herring - Gary - 12/30/2004 6:28:52 PM
  • Don't forget the rest of it... - Tom Brosz - 12/27/2004 6:57:13 PM
    • re: Don't forget the rest of it... - Delbert - 12/27/2004 7:41:50 PM
    • I expect the geologists (aereologists?) will be very interested in that gouge in the surface. - Tom Brosz - 12/27/2004 7:03:13 PM
  • MER heatshield commentary - Gary - 12/27/2004 6:08:11 PM
  • re: MER heatshield tolerance question - ebnelson - 12/27/2004 4:16:26 PM
  • Nifty image - Donald - 12/27/2004 2:42:56 PM
    • the archaeology of Mars. - Buck Galaxy - 12/27/2004 5:34:02 PM
      • Yes in that our equipment is alien to Mars those are alien artifacts. (n/t) - Delbert - 12/27/2004 5:46:35 PM
  • re: Illuminating - BRFelix - 12/27/2004 2:30:39 PM
    • How much does a ramen spectrometer weigh? (n/t) - alcaray - 12/27/2004 9:48:04 PM
      • Its 'Raman' - R.L. - 12/28/2004 10:50:51 PM
        • The original Athena instrument package... - alcaray - 12/29/2004 6:56:47 PM
      • re: Well, prolly a couple of ounces... - BRFelix - 12/28/2004 12:50:09 AM
        • Spelled it wrong, did I? (n/t) - alcaray - 12/28/2004 5:42:51 PM
          • Nothing personal... - Tom Brosz - 12/29/2004 5:57:06 AM
            • agreed. (n/t) - alcaray - 12/29/2004 4:33:57 PM
      • Before or after you add the boiling water? (n/t) - Tom Brosz - 12/28/2004 12:46:22 AM
  • That's an interesting picture. (n/t) - Bowser - 12/27/2004 1:55:34 PM