[meteorite-list] Mission to Meteor Crater

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:29:54 2004
Message-ID: <200309111557.IAA18465_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=72845

Mission to Meteor Crater
By SETH MULLER
Arizona Daily Sun
September 11, 2003

Although a manned mission to Mars remains in the realm of science fiction,
more than a dozen NASA scientists and contractors have been conducting
on-the-ground experiments with robotics, mapping and communication equipment
around Meteor Crater.

The data they have collected during the two weeks of experiments, which end
today, will help lay down the groundwork and identify challenges with
missions to Mars. But no date has been set for that next great space
adventure.

"We are developing space suits, robotics systems and communications," said
Joe Kosmo, spokesman for NASA. "None of what you see will go to Mars, but
the information we learn from it will be passed on."

One piece of equipment used in the experiments was a robot on four wheels
that could theoretically assist Mars astronauts as they surveyed the
terrain. The 400-pound prototype robot was designed by defense contractor
Titan, based in San Jose, Calif., and it costs $50,000 without the extras.
One extra is a $100,000, three-fingered robotic arm.

The robot was tested on the terrain around Meteor Crater while towing a
portable science lab, which also weighs 400 pounds, with the power of its
battery pack.

"It's probably the only robot in the world with a trailer hitch," said Jeff
Graham, who works as a contractor for NASA and who noted that the robot was
being operated by three laptop computers.

Graham said Titan is "trying to push the envelope" with the development of
the robot, which they want to function and operate as an extension of the
astronaut. For example, Graham is looking at ways the robot can respond to
gestures made by the astronaut, instead of only verbal commands.

NASA also tested out some communication systems. They experimented as if
Arizona was Mars and Houston was Earth to see how communication and data
collection would fare. Communications expert Marc Seibert and other NASA
officials said the development of strong, interactive communication with a
manned Mars mission is a major challenge.

Seibert explained that, with the experiments going on at Meteor Crater, it
takes less than half-a-second to zap a link to a satellite, back to a ground
station in Cleveland and on to Houston. So, they can work in real time.

"With Mars, you get a feel of what the distance is like when you realize it
will take five to 20 minutes for (the link) to travel, each way," Seibert
said. "It severs the possibility of real-time interaction."

Seibert said that current technology does not allow communication to travel
any faster than the speed of light. There's a chance that scientists and
inventors may find a way to make it travel faster, but that's more in the
realm of science fiction than putting a man on Mars.

The tests are conducted at Meteor Crater and locations nearby because the
landscape closely resembles that of Mars and other planets. NASA has
historically used Meteor Crater, the best preserved meteor impact site in
the world, for training and experiments. Meteor Crater was the site of
training for the Apollo astronauts who went to the moon.

"Impact craters and volcanos are common on planets throughout the solar
system," said Dean Eppler, a geologist with NASA. "So when you test around
impact sites and volcanos, you can't go wrong. In Arizona, we can find
everything we need within a 35-mile radius."

As they tried to work on Tuesday, heavy bouts of precipitation moved through
as part of a cold front, creating some complications and delays for the NASA
workers.

"At least on Mars, it won't rain," Kosmo said.

Reporter Seth Muller can be reached at 913-8607 or by e-mailing him at
smuller_at_azdailysun.com.

If you go:

On Friday, NASA will hold a public education program at Meteor Crater,
located 35 miles east of Flagstaff on Interstate 40. The program will take
place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will involve demonstrations of the
equipment. Attendees will have to pay admission to Meteor Crater park to see
the programs. For more information, call (800) 289-5898.
Received on Thu 11 Sep 2003 11:57:56 AM PDT


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