Mars Perseverance landing

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bob vernon
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Mars Perseverance landing

Post by bob vernon »

Listening and watching the media coverage of the Mars Perseverance landing, almost all of the coverage is not about the science. It's about hearing and seeing the reactions of the scientists on Earth. The worrying, the concern over the "seven minutes of terror" while the signal from Mars to Earth in en route, the possibility of the lander tipping over because it will land in a large crater. If you watch the landing, notice how much coverage is about the Earth team celebrate or how depressed they'll be if it fails. No science. All about emotion.

Incidentally, back in the summer of 2020 when the launch was taking place, President Trump was told about the seven minutes that it would take for the signal and pictures to get from Mars to Earth. He couldn't comprehend that the first signals would take time to get from Mars to Earth. He kept asking questions like "isn't there some way to speed up the signal? Why does it take that long? Can't something be done about that?"
gman313
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by gman313 »

I am watching it now and I agree.

They are playing it to the level of intelligence of the average american. They need to drama it up to get viewers.

Nasa has had some challenges with public support over the years. I am sure they get billion in funding? The science is cool and helpful but what about the millions in poverty. Why spend the money going to Mars before helping your own

The broadcasts are simply for the support of the average american.
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Bsuds
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by Bsuds »

gman313 wrote:
The broadcasts are simply for the support of the average american.
So really dumbed down eh?
I'm old enough to remember when Plastic bags were the solution to the destruction of trees!
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JagXKR
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by JagXKR »

I was watching NASA TV ch718 on Telus.
Not dumbed down.
No junk media.
Now 2 images from the engineering camera!
Safely on Mars! :up:
Why use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice.
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JagXKR
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by JagXKR »

Why use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice.
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JagXKR
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by JagXKR »

Pics
https://twitter.com/NASAPersevere/statu ... gr%5Etweet
EuiZR2xUcAMxfsq.jpg
EuiZrefVEAIc0GO.jpg
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Why use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice.
Sparki55
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by Sparki55 »

bob vernon wrote:Listening and watching the media coverage of the Mars Perseverance landing, almost all of the coverage is not about the science. It's about hearing and seeing the reactions of the scientists on Earth. The worrying, the concern over the "seven minutes of terror" while the signal from Mars to Earth in en route, the possibility of the lander tipping over because it will land in a large crater. If you watch the landing, notice how much coverage is about the Earth team celebrate or how depressed they'll be if it fails. No science. All about emotion.
It is aimed at kids first, the next generation of scientists and engineers. Second, it is presented so that anyone turning in can understand what is going on, even people who aren't native English/ Spanish speakers.

I too wish it was more technical, but I'm a small part of the audience. I assume they are trying to get people, all people, as excited as the first Apollo missions.
TylerM4
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by TylerM4 »

Different facets interest different people.

Sounds like they needed a couple of different streams - one for those who love the Science and one for those that love the drama and "historic moment" side of it.

I'm with you tho - I'd also be disappointed if I tuned in today and rather than "science" I got "Reality TV".
lifegives
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by lifegives »

The interview that Chris Walker did on CBC this morning with the scientist covered a bit about the "7 minutes of terror" but mainly focused on what the landing was going provide as far as science was concerned.

Was really glad to see the successful outcome this afternoon!
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Symbonite
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by Symbonite »

And then there are some that will say that it is being broadcasted at a sound stage in Georgia.
**Disclaimer: The above statement is in my OPINION only.
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JagXKR
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by JagXKR »

Onboard cameras showing landing. Awesome! :up: :clapping:

Why use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice.
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OKkayak
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by OKkayak »

Any sign of Cohagen yet?

Image

:biggrin:
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pmaria
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by pmaria »

TylerM4 wrote: I'm with you tho - I'd also be disappointed if I tuned in today and rather than "science" I got "Reality TV".
Not much science to be gained during EDL, none of the scientific instruments are really doing much. The engineering cameras were a first for this landing so they did manage to get some science from those. A better understanding of the EDL (parachute deployment, heat shield jettison etc) as well as low altitude surface imagery from the downward facing cams.

I'd argue that this is about as close to a Reality show as you're going to get. The reactions from the control room were genuine, nothing was hammed up for drama. There isn't much they can do anyway other than read off the incoming data, everything was happening 11 light minutes away.

The science will be coming in the next months and years, Perseverance has a suite of sensors never before deployed to another world, including a freaking helicopter. Stay tuned!
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Jlabute
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by Jlabute »

Everything is new, even down to the wheels. Previous rover wheels got chewed up quite a bit.
I look forward to the future when core samples will be shot homeward.

Any bets for life on mars?
rover-wheel-damage.jpg

Even if Perseverance finds THIS, it won't be able to do anything.
21631848_4.jpg
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Last edited by Jlabute on Feb 23rd, 2021, 11:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
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TylerM4
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Re: Mars Perseverance landing

Post by TylerM4 »

pmaria wrote: The science will be coming in the next months and years, Perseverance has a suite of sensors never before deployed to another world, including a freaking helicopter. Stay tuned!
Yeah, I (and I believe the OP as well) were more talking about the science of the landing process itself. Processes and technology used, how pervious problems will be avoided, etc. Not so much the science/learning that will come from the subsequent experiments and analysis. Tho some initial data would have been interesting. I don't believe anyone was expecting air and soil sample data while watching the darn thing come in for a landing.

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