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Post by MartinT on Sept 15, 2014 17:38:14 GMT
Here is the latest Rosetta news, the selection of the landing site. The maths involved in getting it to the comet beggars belief, but the landing phase will be difficult in the extreme and could scupper the rest of the mission. I wish them luck!
See the link here
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 18, 2014 7:48:42 GMT
Interesting.
Thanks for the vid link, Martin
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Post by zippy on Sept 18, 2014 8:25:09 GMT
For us oldies who can remember the amazement at watching the first moon landing, its truly remarkable.
The accuracy to which these things have to work is almost unbelievable. Just one tiny error and Rosetta would have missed by miles.
As you say the most difficult is yet to come, and I'll be watching that too.
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Post by stanleyb on Sept 18, 2014 22:39:49 GMT
The Japanese Hayabusa satellite landed on an asteroid in 2010. So there is data and information available to the Rosetta team to draw experience from.
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Barry
Rank: Trio
Posts: 195 
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Post by Barry on Sept 18, 2014 23:20:48 GMT
Pleased to say that I worked on some of the microwave components that are aboard the Rosetta satelite.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 19, 2014 6:11:48 GMT
Nice one, Barry!
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 19, 2014 7:46:59 GMT
When you hear it go ping, you'll know the mission is over.
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Post by stanleyb on Sept 19, 2014 18:01:04 GMT
When you hear it go ping, you'll know the mission is over. Would that be the sound of the component that you worked on when it goes faulty  ? |
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 19, 2014 19:03:01 GMT
Well it would be if I'd had anything to do with it Stan. I think Barry is rather more competent at that sort of thing than me. Now if there are any trees on this 'ere comet, then I'm yer man.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 19, 2014 20:45:43 GMT
I was discussing the maths involved in getting the Rosetta probe into a matching path with the comet with a couple of maths teachers today. What with the orbital mechanics, elliptical orbits, gravity, relativity and other factors, we decided that it just blew our brains. Someone VERY CLEVER INDEED modelled that path to such incredible accuracy. Respect!
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 12, 2014 7:11:48 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Nov 12, 2014 8:14:55 GMT
Indeed: it launches at around 08:35 GMT and we should hear of its success or otherwise at around 16:00 GMT.
Very exciting!
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Post by zippy on Nov 12, 2014 9:11:07 GMT
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Post by Dave on Nov 12, 2014 11:26:20 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Nov 12, 2014 14:57:29 GMT
It's on its way!
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Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Nov 12, 2014 15:26:51 GMT
I was discussing the maths involved in getting the Rosetta probe into a matching path with the comet with a couple of maths teachers today. What with the orbital mechanics, elliptical orbits, gravity, relativity and other factors, we decided that it just blew our brains. Someone VERY CLEVER INDEED modelled that path to such incredible accuracy. Respect!
There'll be an app for that.. :-) |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 12, 2014 17:18:07 GMT
Successful landing!
What an absolutely stunning achievement.
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Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Nov 12, 2014 18:55:41 GMT
Yes indeed, fantastic.
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Post by Chris on Nov 12, 2014 21:14:50 GMT
Anyone care to guess what the results will show? Totally new rock type? Never before known of minerals? There could be anything on it!
Superb achievement.
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 12, 2014 21:24:36 GMT
Anyone care to guess what the results will show? The Soup Dragon! |
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