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Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

#21

Post by nacnud »

theandrewbailey wrote: post #11

This is a good 'accidental' postmortem and provides a good example of how to not design a probe. Having many large parts move before radio contact is possible is bad design. I have a new project: compare designs of Martian missions that succeeded, and contrast against those that didn't.

Easy to say, but given the shoestring nature of the budget, perhaps more risk had to be taken.

Re: Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

#22

Post by teamonkey »

kefka wrote: post #19

Look north(?) of the probe about 6m. There's a white spot that seems to match the probe. After reading the description regarding incomplete petal opening, it appears that one of the petals separated.

I think that's unlikely based on the design. Beagle 2 was in a flattened cylinder, a bit like a hat box, that was sealed shut to protect it on entry. After becoming stationary, the 'lid' would flip open and the round solar petals would unfurl.

If the lid opened allowing one of the petals to unfurl and break off during landing I wouldn't expect the rest of the petals to unfurl perfectly.

Re: Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

#24

Post by XorNot »

Part of me hears stuff like this and just goes "let's get Curiosity to motor on over and..."

I am kind of hoping that at some point we'll drop a high-speed rover of some sort on Mars. Even if you took 6 months or a year, being able to cover a decent chunk of the planet would be a heck of a capability.

Re: Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

#25

Post by nacnud »

XorNot wrote: post #24

Part of me hears stuff like this and just goes "let's get Curiosity to motor on over and..." I am kind of hoping that at some point we'll drop a high-speed rover of some sort on Mars. Even if you took 6 months or a year, being able to cover a decent chunk of the planet would be a heck of a capability.

.. or one inside a mesh cage that can roll and jump in a chosen direction. :)

Re: Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

#27

Post by lmm »

graupel wrote: post #5

This seems like something right out of The Martian (which I am 75% through reading, and highly recommend) - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-martian

If you like that kind of thing I'd recommend Rocket Girls (the novels rather than the animé), and Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth (nonfiction).

Re: Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

#28

Post by iamdave »

mabbo wrote: post #6
graupel wrote: post #5

This seems like something right out of The Martian (which I am 75% through reading, and highly recommend) - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-martian

Love the book. Scared about the movie. Matt Damon seems an odd cast for the role. He's not that kind of funny.

You should watch Dogma, I know it's been quite a while but he's absolutely hilarious in it.

Re: Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars

#29

Post by iamdave »

mabbo wrote: post #6
graupel wrote: post #5

This seems like something right out of The Martian (which I am 75% through reading, and highly recommend) - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-martian

Love the book. Scared about the movie. Matt Damon seems an odd cast for the role. He's not that kind of funny.

You should watch Dogma, I know it's been quite a while but he's absolutely hilarious in it.
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