tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post2885137658898471437..comments2024-01-03T20:28:17.727-08:00Comments on Future Planetary Exploration: Needed: New Mars Exploration PlanVan Kanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-74152853628572789902009-01-28T12:05:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:05:00.000-08:00Ok, i understand the thinking. Thanks for your ans...Ok, i understand the thinking. Thanks for your answer. <BR/>By the way great blog! I think I´ll stick around here for a while if you don´t mind :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-88995451214902749292009-01-27T20:29:00.000-08:002009-01-27T20:29:00.000-08:00What you suggest is a viable strategy. I'll expla...What you suggest is a viable strategy. <BR/><BR/>I'll explain the thinking as I understand it that has led to a plan for a mid-sized rover. <BR/><BR/>The MER rovers have limited scientific capability designed to identify materials that have been modified by water ("follow the water"). The MERs have achieved that and the Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have identified many locations with water modified materials. The new goal is to search for organics, which require new instruments and hence more capable rovers.<BR/><BR/>In addition, the MER's descent and landing system limited the range of landing sites. As I recall, it was hard to find two good sites. A future rover needs advanced entry and landing systems to expand the range of landing sites. <BR/><BR/>Once these two issues are addressed, a larger and more capable rover (and entry and descent system) is needed.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I know some geologists who focus on Mars who would be happy to have MER rovers put down in interesting geological locations, even if we aren't looking for organics.Van Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-33611466229491471302009-01-27T11:35:00.000-08:002009-01-27T11:35:00.000-08:00Wouldn´t it be an option to refly the MER mission?...Wouldn´t it be an option to refly the MER mission? It should be cheaper to rebuild a flight proven vehicle than constructing a completely new one from scratch. So by sending MER-identical rovers, maybe with a slightly different instrument suite, to several high priority landing sites would make sense to me. They could scout the area and if they make a significant discovery a bigger rover with a more powerful set of instruments could follow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com