31–40 of 100 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's a good point... while in theory is probably could drive at night, it probably isn't a good idea to have a rover on a different planet driving around in the dark.
Is radio communication with the rover even possible at night? We only have line of sight to mars during the martian daytime.
This concept was also used in russian lighthouses because it would be cold enough in siberia to create the delta difference needed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_gen...
Many people here in the far north have extensive solar setups and live completely off-grid. Unfortunately in winter, we only get ~4 hours of sunlight, and it's a pain to sweep snow off the panels every day at ~ -30C to -40C We don't get much wind, and rivers are only liquid for ~4-5 months, so wind and hydro are not popular. I've been investigating commercial thermoelectric couplings as a source in the winter. Everyo…
This might interest you. http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features...
I looked into that a while ago (and a similar one), and it looks like any power produced from the TEC is considered a bonus, and is in the range of 1-5W, probably only enough to charge a phone, etc.
I'm looking to produce a sustained 150W + to charge deep cycle batteries.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is radio communication with the rover even possible at night? We only have line of sight to mars during the martian daytime.
Our line of sight to Mars is independent from Mars seeing the sun.
Facing the Earth and facing the sun are highly correlated. Seeing one xor the other is possible, but unusual.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Isn't there also an issue of impulse though? There must be an acceleration dip compared to earth since I'm basically pushing a mini cooper on earth but only a bicycle on mars. Note: I'm a scientist so I'm embarrassingly bad at physics.
It would be easier to lift the rover perhaps, but F=ma, so since the mass of the rover hasn't changed, neither has the acceleration you can develop for a given force applied.
What are the safety implications of launching 10 pounds of plutonium-238 on a rocket that could malfunction or explode before gaining escape velocity? The article says the plutonium would not explode, but what about plutonium particles or radiation entering the atmosphere and ocean?
This concept was also used in russian lighthouses because it would be cold enough in siberia to create the delta difference needed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_gen...
Some interesting info about safety on this one: http://bellona.no/bellona.org/english_import_area/internatio... (from Wikipedia citation)
Then again. It's kind of a funny thing to worry about with all the unexploded ordinance that's around most countries, even the U.S. I was just out sailing in the long island sound last week and my girlfriend thought it extremely odd how many unexploded bombs pockmark the navigation charts.
Many people here in the far north have extensive solar setups and live completely off-grid. Unfortunately in winter, we only get ~4 hours of sunlight, and it's a pain to sweep snow off the panels every day at ~ -30C to -40C We don't get much wind, and rivers are only liquid for ~4-5 months, so wind and hydro are not popular. I've been investigating commercial thermoelectric couplings as a source in the winter. Everyo…