[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] tonight what we’re gonna try to do we’re
tonight what we’re gonna try to do we’re
tonight what we’re gonna try to do we’re gonna take an exploration an exploration
gonna take an exploration an exploration
gonna take an exploration an exploration of the planet’s surface of Mars and
of the planet’s surface of Mars and
of the planet’s surface of Mars and we’re gonna look at that planet through
we’re gonna look at that planet through
we’re gonna look at that planet through the eyes of Rovers and the first Rovers
the eyes of Rovers and the first Rovers
the eyes of Rovers and the first Rovers we’re going to talk about are Spirit and
we’re going to talk about are Spirit and
we’re going to talk about are Spirit and Opportunity the to Mars exploration
Opportunity the to Mars exploration
Opportunity the to Mars exploration Rovers
Rovers
Rovers and then we’re gonna switch into
and then we’re gonna switch into
and then we’re gonna switch into curiosity a larger Rover and its job is
curiosity a larger Rover and its job is
curiosity a larger Rover and its job is to do something a little different but
to do something a little different but
to do something a little different but first we have to go back in time and
first we have to go back in time and
first we have to go back in time and we’re gonna go back approximately ten
we’re gonna go back approximately ten
we’re gonna go back approximately ten years a little bit more than ten years
years a little bit more than ten years
years a little bit more than ten years and we’re going to discuss what happens
and we’re going to discuss what happens
and we’re going to discuss what happens and how speer an opportunity made it to
and how speer an opportunity made it to
and how speer an opportunity made it to the surface of Mars so we’re gonna fly
the surface of Mars so we’re gonna fly
the surface of Mars so we’re gonna fly over to Kennedy Space Center in Florida
over to Kennedy Space Center in Florida
over to Kennedy Space Center in Florida and we’re gonna go and we’re gonna get
and we’re gonna go and we’re gonna get
and we’re gonna go and we’re gonna get real close and personal with their Delta
real close and personal with their Delta
real close and personal with their Delta two rocket now this is a delta 2 rocket
two rocket now this is a delta 2 rocket
two rocket now this is a delta 2 rocket it’s built by the Boeing Company it has
it’s built by the Boeing Company it has
it’s built by the Boeing Company it has three stages to orbit and around the
three stages to orbit and around the
three stages to orbit and around the bottom side of this vehicle there’s nine
bottom side of this vehicle there’s nine
bottom side of this vehicle there’s nine air-lit solids so this is gonna help us
air-lit solids so this is gonna help us
air-lit solids so this is gonna help us get a little bit extra lift so that we
get a little bit extra lift so that we
get a little bit extra lift so that we can get to Mars as rapidly as possible
can get to Mars as rapidly as possible
can get to Mars as rapidly as possible and if you don’t mind counting down with
and if you don’t mind counting down with
and if you don’t mind counting down with me five four three and a minute and
me five four three and a minute and
me five four three and a minute and thirty seconds were in orbit around
thirty seconds were in orbit around
thirty seconds were in orbit around Earth as you see we’re starting to drop
Earth as you see we’re starting to drop
Earth as you see we’re starting to drop away some those air let solids once
away some those air let solids once
away some those air let solids once those air let solids fall back away they
those air let solids fall back away they
those air let solids fall back away they get recycled they get picked up once our
get recycled they get picked up once our
get recycled they get picked up once our first stage burns out we’re gonna let go
first stage burns out we’re gonna let go
first stage burns out we’re gonna let go we’re gonna light our second stage once
we’re gonna light our second stage once
we’re gonna light our second stage once we light our second stage that we let
we light our second stage that we let
we light our second stage that we let that first stage fall back to the ocean
that first stage fall back to the ocean
that first stage fall back to the ocean it becomes an ecosystem for the fish we
it becomes an ecosystem for the fish we
it becomes an ecosystem for the fish we light our second stage at this point the
light our second stage at this point the
light our second stage at this point the spacecraft has very little stability so
spacecraft has very little stability so
spacecraft has very little stability so we’re gonna spin it up we spin it up to
we’re gonna spin it up we spin it up to
we’re gonna spin it up we spin it up to about 12 rpm more or less like a
about 12 rpm more or less like a
about 12 rpm more or less like a quarterback that there’s a nice tight
quarterback that there’s a nice tight
quarterback that there’s a nice tight spiral we’re gonna get really good
spiral we’re gonna get really good
spiral we’re gonna get really good flight through the air will light our
flight through the air will light our
flight through the air will light our third stage this puts us on a direct
third stage this puts us on a direct
third stage this puts us on a direct trajectory to Mars we’re gonna do what
trajectory to Mars we’re gonna do what
trajectory to Mars we’re gonna do what we like to call the quiescent period the
we like to call the quiescent period the
we like to call the quiescent period the boring period of traveling through
boring period of traveling through
boring period of traveling through interstellar space okay so now seven
interstellar space okay so now seven
interstellar space okay so now seven months later here we are traveling at
months later here we are traveling at
months later here we are traveling at sixteen thousand miles per hour toward
sixteen thousand miles per hour toward
sixteen thousand miles per hour toward the surface of Mars we lose our crew
the surface of Mars we lose our crew
the surface of Mars we lose our crew stage because we don’t need it anymore
stage because we don’t need it anymore
stage because we don’t need it anymore it’s pointed us directly at Mars we’re
it’s pointed us directly at Mars we’re
it’s pointed us directly at Mars we’re ready to go we’re gonna hit our landing
ready to go we’re gonna hit our landing
ready to go we’re gonna hit our landing site we’re traveling at 16,000 miles per
site we’re traveling at 16,000 miles per
site we’re traveling at 16,000 miles per hour and we hit the upper atmosphere of
hour and we hit the upper atmosphere of
hour and we hit the upper atmosphere of Mars when we hit the it upper atmosphere
Mars when we hit the it upper atmosphere
Mars when we hit the it upper atmosphere of Mars the friction as we come through
of Mars the friction as we come through
of Mars the friction as we come through literally burns a hole in the upper
literally burns a hole in the upper
literally burns a hole in the upper atmosphere the heat shield in the front
atmosphere the heat shield in the front
atmosphere the heat shield in the front of our rover gets to about the surface
of our rover gets to about the surface
of our rover gets to about the surface temperature of the Sun 1600 degrees
temperature of the Sun 1600 degrees
temperature of the Sun 1600 degrees centigrade at this point we’re going to
centigrade at this point we’re going to
centigrade at this point we’re going to start what I like to call reverse
start what I like to call reverse
start what I like to call reverse origami we’re gonna pull up at a pair
origami we’re gonna pull up at a pair
origami we’re gonna pull up at a pair this is supersonic parachute and that’s
this is supersonic parachute and that’s
this is supersonic parachute and that’s gonna start changing our angle of attack
gonna start changing our angle of attack
gonna start changing our angle of attack from being directly in to being more
from being directly in to being more
from being directly in to being more vertical with the surface of Mars at
vertical with the surface of Mars at
vertical with the surface of Mars at this point we’re gonna slow down to
this point we’re gonna slow down to
this point we’re gonna slow down to around three to four hundred miles per
around three to four hundred miles per
around three to four hundred miles per hour we’re gonna lose our heat shield
hour we’re gonna lose our heat shield
hour we’re gonna lose our heat shield because we don’t want that heat to come
because we don’t want that heat to come
because we don’t want that heat to come back into our vehicle and we’re gonna
back into our vehicle and we’re gonna
back into our vehicle and we’re gonna lower our Lander more or less on a
lower our Lander more or less on a
lower our Lander more or less on a shoestring once we find the surface we
shoestring once we find the surface we
shoestring once we find the surface we blow up the airbags that takes about a
blow up the airbags that takes about a
blow up the airbags that takes about a blink of an eye about half a millisecond
blink of an eye about half a millisecond
blink of an eye about half a millisecond and then we’re gonna fire some retro
and then we’re gonna fire some retro
and then we’re gonna fire some retro rockets when we get to about forty
rockets when we get to about forty
rockets when we get to about forty meters above the surface slow down to
meters above the surface slow down to
meters above the surface slow down to zero miles per hour
zero miles per hour
zero miles per hour cut the cord and bounce and we bounce
cut the cord and bounce and we bounce
cut the cord and bounce and we bounce and we bounce now the first bounce of
and we bounce now the first bounce of
and we bounce now the first bounce of this vehicle could take us over I use
this vehicle could take us over I use
this vehicle could take us over I use the Empire State Building we can bounce
the Empire State Building we can bounce
the Empire State Building we can bounce anywhere from a mile and a half to two
anywhere from a mile and a half to two
anywhere from a mile and a half to two miles each successive bounce is taking
miles each successive bounce is taking
miles each successive bounce is taking away a little bit of energy which slows
away a little bit of energy which slows
away a little bit of energy which slows us down after we lose all of our energy
us down after we lose all of our energy
us down after we lose all of our energy we come to a stop we’re gonna deflate
we come to a stop we’re gonna deflate
we come to a stop we’re gonna deflate the airbags so the vehicle senses that
the airbags so the vehicle senses that
the airbags so the vehicle senses that we’ve stopped we deflate the airbags
we’ve stopped we deflate the airbags
we’ve stopped we deflate the airbags what you saw happen in a few seconds
what you saw happen in a few seconds
what you saw happen in a few seconds there takes about 45 minutes in real
there takes about 45 minutes in real
there takes about 45 minutes in real time the next thing that we’re gonna do
time the next thing that we’re gonna do
time the next thing that we’re gonna do is we’re gonna open up our Lander pedals
is we’re gonna open up our Lander pedals
is we’re gonna open up our Lander pedals we’re gonna open up these Lander pedals
we’re gonna open up these Lander pedals
we’re gonna open up these Lander pedals now what you’re gonna have see happen in
now what you’re gonna have see happen in
now what you’re gonna have see happen in about 30 seconds happens in 45 minutes
about 30 seconds happens in 45 minutes
about 30 seconds happens in 45 minutes the next thing that we’re gonna do is
the next thing that we’re gonna do is
the next thing that we’re gonna do is we’re gonna open up the solar rays and
we’re gonna open up the solar rays and
we’re gonna open up the solar rays and if you don’t mind out a little watch to
we got one more thing to do which is one
we got one more thing to do which is one more party okay just once it gets over
more party okay just once it gets over
more party okay just once it gets over Center oh okay hold on I must have seen
Center oh okay hold on I must have seen
Center oh okay hold on I must have seen this a thousand times
this a thousand times
this a thousand times doesn’t matter how many times I see you
doesn’t matter how many times I see you
doesn’t matter how many times I see you I get very excited when it works but my
I get very excited when it works but my
I get very excited when it works but my team and I were the team that designed
team and I were the team that designed
team and I were the team that designed that and if it didn’t work we had a very
that and if it didn’t work we had a very
that and if it didn’t work we had a very very bad day on Mars the movement so
very bad day on Mars the movement so
very bad day on Mars the movement so when it works like getting a little
when it works like getting a little
when it works like getting a little tight so open up the solar arrays now we
tight so open up the solar arrays now we
tight so open up the solar arrays now we can power the vehicle we’re starting to
can power the vehicle we’re starting to
can power the vehicle we’re starting to charge up the batteries the last things
charge up the batteries the last things
charge up the batteries the last things that you’re gonna see happen on this
that you’re gonna see happen on this
that you’re gonna see happen on this first day is we pull up our pan cam mass
first day is we pull up our pan cam mass
first day is we pull up our pan cam mass what we call the PMA and we deploy our
what we call the PMA and we deploy our
what we call the PMA and we deploy our high gain antenna so we can talk
high gain antenna so we can talk
high gain antenna so we can talk directly back to earth the last thing
directly back to earth the last thing
directly back to earth the last thing that you’re going to see the rover do in
that you’re going to see the rover do in
that you’re going to see the rover do in this animation is just going to take a
this animation is just going to take a
this animation is just going to take a panoramic image one of the things that
panoramic image one of the things that
panoramic image one of the things that you want to do when you’ve landed in a
you want to do when you’ve landed in a
you want to do when you’ve landed in a new place is find out where you are so
new place is find out where you are so
new place is find out where you are so we’re going to take this beautiful image
we’re going to take this beautiful image
we’re going to take this beautiful image and we’re going to start transmitting
and we’re going to start transmitting
and we’re going to start transmitting that back to earth so the next day what
that back to earth so the next day what
that back to earth so the next day what we’re going to do is we’re going to
we’re going to do is we’re going to
we’re going to do is we’re going to stand up the vehicle deploy the front
stand up the vehicle deploy the front
stand up the vehicle deploy the front wheels and we’re going to change more or
wheels and we’re going to change more or
wheels and we’re going to change more or less our perspective on the surface when
less our perspective on the surface when
less our perspective on the surface when we design spirit an opportunity we
we design spirit an opportunity we
we design spirit an opportunity we design the eyes to be at five foot two
design the eyes to be at five foot two
design the eyes to be at five foot two that’s approximately the level of a
that’s approximately the level of a
that’s approximately the level of a human being walking on the surface of
human being walking on the surface of
human being walking on the surface of Mars so now when we take images and we
Mars so now when we take images and we
Mars so now when we take images and we get our panoramic images it’s going to
get our panoramic images it’s going to
get our panoramic images it’s going to spew like a human being with standing on
spew like a human being with standing on
spew like a human being with standing on Mars looking around we’re looking for
Mars looking around we’re looking for
Mars looking around we’re looking for scientifically exciting sights spirit an
scientifically exciting sights spirit an
scientifically exciting sights spirit an opportunity or roving geologist their
opportunity or roving geologist their
opportunity or roving geologist their job was to follow the water to look for
job was to follow the water to look for
job was to follow the water to look for water that may have flown on the surface
water that may have flown on the surface
water that may have flown on the surface of Mars and we’re going to do that
of Mars and we’re going to do that
of Mars and we’re going to do that through the history of the rocks go up
through the history of the rocks go up
through the history of the rocks go up taste the rocks touch the rocks feel the
taste the rocks touch the rocks feel the
taste the rocks touch the rocks feel the rocks if you can break the rocks try to
rocks if you can break the rocks try to
rocks if you can break the rocks try to figure out do the rocks tell us
figure out do the rocks tell us
figure out do the rocks tell us something about the history of Mars so
something about the history of Mars so
something about the history of Mars so now the last thing that we have to do is
now the last thing that we have to do is
now the last thing that we have to do is drive the rover off the lander you’re
drive the rover off the lander you’re
drive the rover off the lander you’re gonna see the lander change its position
gonna see the lander change its position
gonna see the lander change its position a little bit get ready for the rover to
a little bit get ready for the rover to
a little bit get ready for the rover to drive off on these things called bat
drive off on these things called bat
drive off on these things called bat wings we drive off on those bat wings
wings we drive off on those bat wings
wings we drive off on those bat wings and we get six wheels on the surface of
and we get six wheels on the surface of
and we get six wheels on the surface of Mars we call spirit the bad sister and
Mars we call spirit the bad sister and
Mars we call spirit the bad sister and not because she was bad in any way but
not because she was bad in any way but
not because she was bad in any way but we drive off the lander we go up to the
we drive off the lander we go up to the
we drive off the lander we go up to the first rock the rock was called Anna on
first rock the rock was called Anna on
first rock the rock was called Anna on deck we took out our arm we touched the
deck we took out our arm we touched the
deck we took out our arm we touched the rock and as soon as we touch the rock
rock and as soon as we touch the rock
rock and as soon as we touch the rock spirit did not call home
spirit did not call home
spirit did not call home it’s like et went hi no phone home
it’s like et went hi no phone home
it’s like et went hi no phone home so we were worried that we didn’t
so we were worried that we didn’t
so we were worried that we didn’t understand what was going on with spirit
understand what was going on with spirit
understand what was going on with spirit remember that boring period of driving
remember that boring period of driving
remember that boring period of driving through interstellar space that I told
through interstellar space that I told
through interstellar space that I told you about seven months so during that
you about seven months so during that
you about seven months so during that seven month period of time
seven month period of time
seven month period of time we had one of the biggest Solar Flare
we had one of the biggest Solar Flare
we had one of the biggest Solar Flare solar activities that we’ve ever seen
solar activities that we’ve ever seen
solar activities that we’ve ever seen right so lots of gamma rays bad stuff
right so lots of gamma rays bad stuff
right so lots of gamma rays bad stuff I’ll call it the Sun burped bad stuff
I’ll call it the Sun burped bad stuff
I’ll call it the Sun burped bad stuff goes flying through interstellar space
goes flying through interstellar space
goes flying through interstellar space so what did we do first time ever when
so what did we do first time ever when
so what did we do first time ever when we were flying a spacecraft deep space
we were flying a spacecraft deep space
we were flying a spacecraft deep space we actually rebooted the computer so we
we actually rebooted the computer so we
we actually rebooted the computer so we turn it off turn it back on and then it
turn it off turn it back on and then it
turn it off turn it back on and then it goes hey I’m here and we’re like all
goes hey I’m here and we’re like all
goes hey I’m here and we’re like all goodness gracious thank you okay it
goodness gracious thank you okay it
goodness gracious thank you okay it calls back home we’re like great great
calls back home we’re like great great
calls back home we’re like great great great it has all this great stuff it
great it has all this great stuff it
great it has all this great stuff it starts recording everything that it’s
starts recording everything that it’s
starts recording everything that it’s doing all of its maneuvers it records
doing all of its maneuvers it records
doing all of its maneuvers it records all the things that have felt all the
all the things that have felt all the
all the things that have felt all the bounces on the surface everything
bounces on the surface everything
bounces on the surface everything everything thing eight days later drives
everything thing eight days later drives
everything thing eight days later drives off it touches a rock and it’s memory
off it touches a rock and it’s memory
off it touches a rock and it’s memory got full and once its memory got full
got full and once its memory got full
got full and once its memory got full the computer wouldn’t boot up and we
the computer wouldn’t boot up and we
the computer wouldn’t boot up and we actually told it to erase its memory
actually told it to erase its memory
actually told it to erase its memory through all of that stuff through
through all of that stuff through
through all of that stuff through quieten space away and then do whatever
quieten space away and then do whatever
quieten space away and then do whatever you want me to do the rock and then
you want me to do the rock and then
you want me to do the rock and then spirit became okay spirit opportunity
spirit became okay spirit opportunity
spirit became okay spirit opportunity were I’ll tell you they were designed to
were I’ll tell you they were designed to
were I’ll tell you they were designed to go to the surface of Mars and explore
go to the surface of Mars and explore
go to the surface of Mars and explore the surface for 90 days and travel up to
the surface for 90 days and travel up to
the surface for 90 days and travel up to 600 meters spirit was on the surface
600 meters spirit was on the surface
600 meters spirit was on the surface communicating for more than five years
communicating for more than five years
communicating for more than five years traveled a little less than five miles
traveled a little less than five miles
traveled a little less than five miles opportunity the good sister landed a
opportunity the good sister landed a
opportunity the good sister landed a month later has been on the surface for
month later has been on the surface for
month later has been on the surface for over a decade and continues giving us
over a decade and continues giving us
over a decade and continues giving us great information daily and she’s
great information daily and she’s
great information daily and she’s traveled over 25 miles so why do we go
traveled over 25 miles so why do we go
traveled over 25 miles so why do we go to Mars why is Mars such an interesting
to Mars why is Mars such an interesting
to Mars why is Mars such an interesting place to explore and the image that you
place to explore and the image that you
place to explore and the image that you see behind me on the left is Mars and on
see behind me on the left is Mars and on
see behind me on the left is Mars and on the right is Earth looks like we’re
the right is Earth looks like we’re
the right is Earth looks like we’re river or water may have run at some
river or water may have run at some
river or water may have run at some point time in this image I’ve switched
point time in this image I’ve switched
point time in this image I’ve switched it around on the left is Earth on the
it around on the left is Earth on the
it around on the left is Earth on the right is Mars that image on the right is
right is Mars that image on the right is
right is Mars that image on the right is the largest known volcano in our solar
the largest known volcano in our solar
the largest known volcano in our solar system the rocky planets it’s called
system the rocky planets it’s called
system the rocky planets it’s called Olympus Mons it’s on the surface of Mars
Olympus Mons it’s on the surface of Mars
Olympus Mons it’s on the surface of Mars it’s approximately the size of the state
it’s approximately the size of the state
it’s approximately the size of the state of Arizona go back to the early 70s 76
of Arizona go back to the early 70s 76
of Arizona go back to the early 70s 76 77 and we landed the Viking landers on
77 and we landed the Viking landers on
77 and we landed the Viking landers on the surface of Mars we have Mars
the surface of Mars we have Mars
the surface of Mars we have Mars Pathfinder which landed in July 4th of
Pathfinder which landed in July 4th of
Pathfinder which landed in July 4th of 1997 and then we had Phoenix and then
1997 and then we had Phoenix and then
1997 and then we had Phoenix and then you have the two landing sites for spare
you have the two landing sites for spare
you have the two landing sites for spare an opportunity
an opportunity
an opportunity this topographical map let me show it a
this topographical map let me show it a
this topographical map let me show it a different way for those that like
different way for those that like
different way for those that like planetary maps you can see where we
planetary maps you can see where we
planetary maps you can see where we landed and the other thing that you see
landed and the other thing that you see
landed and the other thing that you see in this is the yellow places or places
in this is the yellow places or places
in this is the yellow places or places that we’ve landed the ones in white were
that we’ve landed the ones in white were
that we’ve landed the ones in white were the possibilities for curiosity land so
the possibilities for curiosity land so
the possibilities for curiosity land so now we’re on the surface well spirit
now we’re on the surface well spirit
now we’re on the surface well spirit opportunity caught some very interesting
opportunity caught some very interesting
opportunity caught some very interesting things on the surface from orbit we
things on the surface from orbit we
things on the surface from orbit we could see things that look like large
could see things that look like large
could see things that look like large tracts long tracts on the on the dust
tracts long tracts on the on the dust
tracts long tracts on the on the dust and the surface and we always postulated
and the surface and we always postulated
and the surface and we always postulated that they would have to have these dust
that they would have to have these dust
that they would have to have these dust devils but we had never seen them we
devils but we had never seen them we
devils but we had never seen them we believe that this is one of the reasons
believe that this is one of the reasons
believe that this is one of the reasons the vehicles have lasted so long every
the vehicles have lasted so long every
the vehicles have lasted so long every so often when these dust devils would
so often when these dust devils would
so often when these dust devils would come by and clean off my solar rays and
come by and clean off my solar rays and
come by and clean off my solar rays and make us happy and we make more power and
make us happy and we make more power and
make us happy and we make more power and now the Rovers can continue to do their
now the Rovers can continue to do their
now the Rovers can continue to do their science very interesting scientifically
science very interesting scientifically
science very interesting scientifically this is one of the most important images
this is one of the most important images
this is one of the most important images that we took with the opportunity
that we took with the opportunity
that we took with the opportunity vehicle it was the first time ever
vehicle it was the first time ever
vehicle it was the first time ever remotely with a robotic vehicle that we
remotely with a robotic vehicle that we
remotely with a robotic vehicle that we took an image on the surface at the
took an image on the surface at the
took an image on the surface at the exact same time we took the image from
exact same time we took the image from
exact same time we took the image from orbit so now we can actually do
orbit so now we can actually do
orbit so now we can actually do atmospheric science from the ground and
atmospheric science from the ground and
atmospheric science from the ground and from orbit at the exact same time so
from orbit at the exact same time so
from orbit at the exact same time so with opportunity the good sister it
with opportunity the good sister it
with opportunity the good sister it travels 300 million miles bounces along
travels 300 million miles bounces along
travels 300 million miles bounces along the surface of Mars and lands in a
the surface of Mars and lands in a
the surface of Mars and lands in a crater there’s nothing there it’s just
crater there’s nothing there it’s just
crater there’s nothing there it’s just nothing except one rock and the rock is
nothing except one rock and the rock is
nothing except one rock and the rock is not from Mars it’s a meteorite from
not from Mars it’s a meteorite from
not from Mars it’s a meteorite from somewhere else now the interesting thing
somewhere else now the interesting thing
somewhere else now the interesting thing is we’ve seen quite a few of these now
is we’ve seen quite a few of these now
is we’ve seen quite a few of these now on the surface of Mars we do know that
on the surface of Mars we do know that
on the surface of Mars we do know that they’re from one of the four rocky
they’re from one of the four rocky
they’re from one of the four rocky planets or some of the asteroid belt we
planets or some of the asteroid belt we
planets or some of the asteroid belt we do know that but where they’re actually
do know that but where they’re actually
do know that but where they’re actually from we don’t know okay they probably
from we don’t know okay they probably
from we don’t know okay they probably were around sort of early formation of
were around sort of early formation of
were around sort of early formation of the the planets but we don’t know but
the the planets but we don’t know but
the the planets but we don’t know but they’re very interesting very exciting
they’re very interesting very exciting
they’re very interesting very exciting the rover is now here in endeavour
the rover is now here in endeavour
the rover is now here in endeavour crater it’s been in Splore endeavour
crater it’s been in Splore endeavour
crater it’s been in Splore endeavour crater for at least a year now we’ve
crater for at least a year now we’ve
crater for at least a year now we’ve driven down into the crater we’re at a
driven down into the crater we’re at a
driven down into the crater we’re at a new location inside the crater we’re
new location inside the crater we’re
new location inside the crater we’re seeing a lot more of these clays right
seeing a lot more of these clays right
seeing a lot more of these clays right so now we know that in this location all
so now we know that in this location all
so now we know that in this location all across the meriem Plains there was a lot
across the meriem Plains there was a lot
across the meriem Plains there was a lot of water deep water
of water deep water
of water deep water did you see the change in salinity same
did you see the change in salinity same
did you see the change in salinity same thing for spirit as we drove up husband
thing for spirit as we drove up husband
thing for spirit as we drove up husband Hill we started to see this change in
Hill we started to see this change in
Hill we started to see this change in salinity in the soil it was a failure
salinity in the soil it was a failure
salinity in the soil it was a failure that actually told us that
that actually told us that
that actually told us that the wheels on the spirit rover stopped
the wheels on the spirit rover stopped
the wheels on the spirit rover stopped working and so we started dragging it
working and so we started dragging it
working and so we started dragging it and by dragging it we created this
and by dragging it we created this
and by dragging it we created this trench on the surface of Mars and as we
trench on the surface of Mars and as we
trench on the surface of Mars and as we were creating this trench when we turned
were creating this trench when we turned
were creating this trench when we turned around and took images we saw the actual
around and took images we saw the actual
around and took images we saw the actual albedo of the light that was coming off
albedo of the light that was coming off
albedo of the light that was coming off the soil change and that started to tell
the soil change and that started to tell
the soil change and that started to tell us something’s going on so we started
us something’s going on so we started
us something’s going on so we started doing more investigation and we saw this
doing more investigation and we saw this
doing more investigation and we saw this salt level change as we started to get
salt level change as we started to get
salt level change as we started to get higher in elevation on it on the
higher in elevation on it on the
higher in elevation on it on the mountain and what it means is as the
mountain and what it means is as the
mountain and what it means is as the water was receding it got much more
water was receding it got much more
water was receding it got much more salty and that told us that there was
salty and that told us that there was
salty and that told us that there was water there very salty water and that
water there very salty water and that
water there very salty water and that there was water in both of these
there was water in both of these
there was water in both of these locations so now we know that Mars was a
locations so now we know that Mars was a
locations so now we know that Mars was a very wet place at one point time in the
very wet place at one point time in the
very wet place at one point time in the past and we’re going to change gears and
past and we’re going to change gears and
past and we’re going to change gears and talk about curiosity a little bit
talk about curiosity a little bit
talk about curiosity a little bit curiosity was launched on November 26th
curiosity was launched on November 26th
curiosity was launched on November 26th 2011 and landed August 5th
2011 and landed August 5th
2011 and landed August 5th we’ve traveled for nine point nine point
we’ve traveled for nine point nine point
we’ve traveled for nine point nine point four nine point five kilometers on the
four nine point five kilometers on the
four nine point five kilometers on the surface as of saule 774 curiosity was
surface as of saule 774 curiosity was
surface as of saule 774 curiosity was designed to drive 20 kilometers and be
designed to drive 20 kilometers and be
designed to drive 20 kilometers and be on the surface for one Martian year so
on the surface for one Martian year so
on the surface for one Martian year so we’ve already made one Martian year so
we’ve already made one Martian year so
we’ve already made one Martian year so we’ve already made part of our prime
we’ve already made part of our prime
we’ve already made part of our prime commitment to NASA and that it’s been
commitment to NASA and that it’s been
commitment to NASA and that it’s been awesome it’s been an awesome couple
awesome it’s been an awesome couple
awesome it’s been an awesome couple years how did we get there so it’s a
years how did we get there so it’s a
years how did we get there so it’s a little different very very similar
little different very very similar
little different very very similar launch sequence but it’s a different
launch sequence but it’s a different
launch sequence but it’s a different launch vehicle so instead of a Boeing
launch vehicle so instead of a Boeing
launch vehicle so instead of a Boeing vehicle this is a Lockheed Martin
vehicle this is a Lockheed Martin
vehicle this is a Lockheed Martin vehicle it’s called an Atlas rocket it’s
vehicle it’s called an Atlas rocket it’s
vehicle it’s called an Atlas rocket it’s built by Lockheed it has really just two
built by Lockheed it has really just two
built by Lockheed it has really just two stages to orbit so you’ve seen we’ve
stages to orbit so you’ve seen we’ve
stages to orbit so you’ve seen we’ve already gotten to orbit you saw that
already gotten to orbit you saw that
already gotten to orbit you saw that particular part now this second stage of
particular part now this second stage of
particular part now this second stage of this vehicle is much more capable it has
this vehicle is much more capable it has
this vehicle is much more capable it has some retro rockets on it has some
some retro rockets on it has some
some retro rockets on it has some thrusters on it so now it can spin us up
thrusters on it so now it can spin us up
thrusters on it so now it can spin us up and it can point us directly at Mars so
and it can point us directly at Mars so
and it can point us directly at Mars so we did the last kick and then that’s
we did the last kick and then that’s
we did the last kick and then that’s gonna fall back and burn up in the
gonna fall back and burn up in the
gonna fall back and burn up in the atmosphere what doesn’t burn up becomes
atmosphere what doesn’t burn up becomes
atmosphere what doesn’t burn up becomes ecosystem for fish and now we’re gonna
ecosystem for fish and now we’re gonna
ecosystem for fish and now we’re gonna start going around so now we’re on a
start going around so now we’re on a
start going around so now we’re on a direct reject erita Mars you’re gonna
direct reject erita Mars you’re gonna
direct reject erita Mars you’re gonna see us light up the solar arrays that
see us light up the solar arrays that
see us light up the solar arrays that around the cruise stage that’s gonna
around the cruise stage that’s gonna
around the cruise stage that’s gonna actually charge up our batteries and
actually charge up our batteries and
actually charge up our batteries and then what we do is we supercharge the
then what we do is we supercharge the
then what we do is we supercharge the batteries and we discharge them and then
batteries and we discharge them and then
batteries and we discharge them and then we keep them about 80 percent the rest
we keep them about 80 percent the rest
we keep them about 80 percent the rest of the way now we’re traveling a little
of the way now we’re traveling a little
of the way now we’re traveling a little bit slower because we don’t have the
bit slower because we don’t have the
bit slower because we don’t have the same lift capability with the Lockheed
same lift capability with the Lockheed
same lift capability with the Lockheed vehicle so we’re traveling at 14,500
vehicle so we’re traveling at 14,500
vehicle so we’re traveling at 14,500 miles an hour it takes a little bit
miles an hour it takes a little bit
miles an hour it takes a little bit longer because Earth and Mars are a
longer because Earth and Mars are a
longer because Earth and Mars are a different orientation deploy a parachute
different orientation deploy a parachute
different orientation deploy a parachute again we’re gonna lose that heat shield
again we’re gonna lose that heat shield
again we’re gonna lose that heat shield because we don’t want to get the heat so
because we don’t want to get the heat so
because we don’t want to get the heat so coming back into our vehicle but now
coming back into our vehicle but now
coming back into our vehicle but now everything’s changed we lose the heat
everything’s changed we lose the heat
everything’s changed we lose the heat shield and instead of been lowering a
shield and instead of been lowering a
shield and instead of been lowering a lander with airbags we’re actually going
lander with airbags we’re actually going
lander with airbags we’re actually going to cut
to cut
to cut some cables and bolts more or less and
some cables and bolts more or less and
some cables and bolts more or less and let our Rover fall toward the surface
let our Rover fall toward the surface
let our Rover fall toward the surface fire up some rockets and fly we added a
fire up some rockets and fly we added a
fire up some rockets and fly we added a new science instrument called the Marty
new science instrument called the Marty
new science instrument called the Marty camera this camera is actually taking
camera this camera is actually taking
camera this camera is actually taking images about 32 frames per second so
images about 32 frames per second so
images about 32 frames per second so we’re gonna zoom in on the camera and
we’re gonna zoom in on the camera and
we’re gonna zoom in on the camera and you’re gonna look at what what’s going
you’re gonna look at what what’s going
you’re gonna look at what what’s going on so as we’re falling toward the
on so as we’re falling toward the
on so as we’re falling toward the surface the camera is taking images of
surface the camera is taking images of
surface the camera is taking images of the surface of Mars overlaying them
the surface of Mars overlaying them
the surface of Mars overlaying them figuring out what is our downrange
figuring out what is our downrange
figuring out what is our downrange trajectory and velocity and there’s
trajectory and velocity and there’s
trajectory and velocity and there’s there any obstacles that are in the way
there any obstacles that are in the way
there any obstacles that are in the way once we figure out there’s no obstacles
once we figure out there’s no obstacles
once we figure out there’s no obstacles in the way we’re gonna lower our Rover
in the way we’re gonna lower our Rover
in the way we’re gonna lower our Rover on three shoestrings and an umbilical
on three shoestrings and an umbilical
on three shoestrings and an umbilical cord weaving gingerly hit the ground and
cord weaving gingerly hit the ground and
cord weaving gingerly hit the ground and once we send slack in the cables the
once we send slack in the cables the
once we send slack in the cables the cables go slack we cut the three
cables go slack we cut the three
cables go slack we cut the three umbilical cords and the descent stage
umbilical cords and the descent stage
umbilical cords and the descent stage fires up and flies away designed to go
fires up and flies away designed to go
fires up and flies away designed to go 600 metres away from the vehicle it’d be
600 metres away from the vehicle it’d be
600 metres away from the vehicle it’d be bad if it came back and crashed on us
bad if it came back and crashed on us
bad if it came back and crashed on us that would be really bad now we’re on
that would be really bad now we’re on
that would be really bad now we’re on our wheels we’re ready to start
our wheels we’re ready to start
our wheels we’re ready to start exploring so now instead of having a
exploring so now instead of having a
exploring so now instead of having a drive off a lander we’re ready to go the
drive off a lander we’re ready to go the
drive off a lander we’re ready to go the very first day last things that we have
very first day last things that we have
very first day last things that we have to do is pull up our remote sensing
to do is pull up our remote sensing
to do is pull up our remote sensing masts what we call the RSM and pull out
masts what we call the RSM and pull out
masts what we call the RSM and pull out our high gain antenna the high gain
our high gain antenna the high gain
our high gain antenna the high gain antenna for this vehicle was delivered
antenna for this vehicle was delivered
antenna for this vehicle was delivered to us by the Spanish as a gift it’s an
to us by the Spanish as a gift it’s an
to us by the Spanish as a gift it’s an asset the last thing you’re gonna see
asset the last thing you’re gonna see
asset the last thing you’re gonna see here is as we start driving around with
here is as we start driving around with
here is as we start driving around with curiosity is that curiosity is a
curiosity is that curiosity is a
curiosity is that curiosity is a different vehicle instead of being a
different vehicle instead of being a
different vehicle instead of being a roving geologist
roving geologist
roving geologist it’s a roving biologist it’s job is to
it’s a roving biologist it’s job is to
it’s a roving biologist it’s job is to look for past places on Mars that could
look for past places on Mars that could
look for past places on Mars that could have sustained life we get to shoot a
have sustained life we get to shoot a
have sustained life we get to shoot a laser at the rocks now why did we do
laser at the rocks now why did we do
laser at the rocks now why did we do that instead of having to go over and
that instead of having to go over and
that instead of having to go over and touch every rock and taste every rock
touch every rock and taste every rock
touch every rock and taste every rock and like we said before we can actually
and like we said before we can actually
and like we said before we can actually fire the laser at the rock burn the
fire the laser at the rock burn the
fire the laser at the rock burn the surface of the rock and look at the gas
surface of the rock and look at the gas
surface of the rock and look at the gas that comes off and from the gas we can
that comes off and from the gas we can
that comes off and from the gas we can see what the chemical composition of
see what the chemical composition of
see what the chemical composition of that rock is what are the elements that
that rock is what are the elements that
that rock is what are the elements that are there the other thing that we did
are there the other thing that we did
are there the other thing that we did with curiosity is we added a drill now
with curiosity is we added a drill now
with curiosity is we added a drill now this is the first time that we’ll be
this is the first time that we’ll be
this is the first time that we’ll be able to drill robotically on another
able to drill robotically on another
able to drill robotically on another planetary surface now we have drilled
planetary surface now we have drilled
planetary surface now we have drilled before with human beings on the surface
before with human beings on the surface
before with human beings on the surface of the Moon anyway what you’re seeing
of the Moon anyway what you’re seeing
of the Moon anyway what you’re seeing here in the video is what we call x-ray
here in the video is what we call x-ray
here in the video is what we call x-ray fluorescence we’re actually shooting
fluorescence we’re actually shooting
fluorescence we’re actually shooting x-rays through the rocks we agitate them
x-rays through the rocks we agitate them
x-rays through the rocks we agitate them and we can see how the actual chemicals
and we can see how the actual chemicals
and we can see how the actual chemicals are held together what is a crystalline
are held together what is a crystalline
are held together what is a crystalline structure and that actually tells us a
structure and that actually tells us a
structure and that actually tells us a lot about what’s going on in the rocks
lot about what’s going on in the rocks
lot about what’s going on in the rocks on the surface of Mars some more of the
on the surface of Mars some more of the
on the surface of Mars some more of the testing that we’ve got and and here what
testing that we’ve got and and here what
testing that we’ve got and and here what you’re going to do is we’re going to
you’re going to do is we’re going to
you’re going to do is we’re going to show the mobility system the mobility
show the mobility system the mobility
show the mobility system the mobility system is very similar to the mobility
system is very similar to the mobility
system is very similar to the mobility system that we had on Pathfinder and the
system that we had on Pathfinder and the
system that we had on Pathfinder and the Mars Exploration Rover right
Mars Exploration Rover right
Mars Exploration Rover right it’s a rocker-bogie suspension system
it’s a rocker-bogie suspension system
it’s a rocker-bogie suspension system that we’ve used on all of the vehicles
that we’ve used on all of the vehicles
that we’ve used on all of the vehicles that we’ve had on surface but this one
that we’ve had on surface but this one
that we’ve had on surface but this one serves a different purpose it actually
serves a different purpose it actually
serves a different purpose it actually is our landing gear so the wheels that
is our landing gear so the wheels that
is our landing gear so the wheels that look like they’re one monolithic
look like they’re one monolithic
look like they’re one monolithic structure of aluminum they’re not
structure of aluminum they’re not
structure of aluminum they’re not they’re about seven sheets of paper of
they’re about seven sheets of paper of
they’re about seven sheets of paper of aluminum on the outside shell but in the
aluminum on the outside shell but in the
aluminum on the outside shell but in the middle is titanium in the titanium is
middle is titanium in the titanium is
middle is titanium in the titanium is there to give us sort of a spongy
there to give us sort of a spongy
there to give us sort of a spongy flexure feel you’re gonna see us doing
flexure feel you’re gonna see us doing
flexure feel you’re gonna see us doing some testing we’re driving over
some testing we’re driving over
some testing we’re driving over obstacles that simulate what we believe
obstacles that simulate what we believe
obstacles that simulate what we believe we’re going to get to on Mars about 35
we’re going to get to on Mars about 35
we’re going to get to on Mars about 35 centimeter height obstacles we tilt the
centimeter height obstacles we tilt the
centimeter height obstacles we tilt the vehicle to drive over different surfaces
vehicle to drive over different surfaces
vehicle to drive over different surfaces we drive on the surface we have six
we drive on the surface we have six
we drive on the surface we have six wheel drive four-wheel steering so all
wheel drive four-wheel steering so all
wheel drive four-wheel steering so all six wheels of the vehicle can drive and
six wheels of the vehicle can drive and
six wheels of the vehicle can drive and all four wheels can turn tow in about 90
all four wheels can turn tow in about 90
all four wheels can turn tow in about 90 degrees so we can actually turn about
degrees so we can actually turn about
degrees so we can actually turn about our center of mass so if we wanted to
our center of mass so if we wanted to
our center of mass so if we wanted to turn in place we actually could the
turn in place we actually could the
turn in place we actually could the vehicle has a top speed of five
vehicle has a top speed of five
vehicle has a top speed of five centimeters per second it’s boogying it
centimeters per second it’s boogying it
centimeters per second it’s boogying it takes us sautée to do it takes us 45
takes us sautée to do it takes us 45
takes us sautée to do it takes us 45 minutes to do a football field that’s
minutes to do a football field that’s
minutes to do a football field that’s how slow we move so it’s really really
how slow we move so it’s really really
how slow we move so it’s really really sloped now when you’re 300 million miles
sloped now when you’re 300 million miles
sloped now when you’re 300 million miles away from the nearest gas station it’s
away from the nearest gas station it’s
away from the nearest gas station it’s okay to go slow where did we go on the
okay to go slow where did we go on the
okay to go slow where did we go on the surface of Mars for curiosity curiosity
surface of Mars for curiosity curiosity
surface of Mars for curiosity curiosity went to a place called Gale Crater so
went to a place called Gale Crater so
went to a place called Gale Crater so why did we go to this Gale Crater and
why did we go to this Gale Crater and
why did we go to this Gale Crater and the reason we went to Gale Crater is
the reason we went to Gale Crater is
the reason we went to Gale Crater is that we wanted to investigate this place
that we wanted to investigate this place
that we wanted to investigate this place called Mount sharp and Mount sharp is
called Mount sharp and Mount sharp is
called Mount sharp and Mount sharp is this very very large mountain it’s 5.5
this very very large mountain it’s 5.5
this very very large mountain it’s 5.5 kilometers in size and what we were
kilometers in size and what we were
kilometers in size and what we were looking for is the difference layers as
looking for is the difference layers as
looking for is the difference layers as you drive up the mountain so we’re gonna
you drive up the mountain so we’re gonna
you drive up the mountain so we’re gonna land drive to the mountain and then look
land drive to the mountain and then look
land drive to the mountain and then look at the difference
at the difference
at the difference they say clays we’ll just say it as time
they say clays we’ll just say it as time
they say clays we’ll just say it as time periods so early time period to later
periods so early time period to later
periods so early time period to later time period as you drive up this
time period as you drive up this
time period as you drive up this mountain trying to see can we see places
mountain trying to see can we see places
mountain trying to see can we see places on the surface of Mars that once could
on the surface of Mars that once could
on the surface of Mars that once could have been habitable for life could Mars
have been habitable for life could Mars
have been habitable for life could Mars in this location around the Gale Crater
in this location around the Gale Crater
in this location around the Gale Crater sustained life and doesn’t have the
sustained life and doesn’t have the
sustained life and doesn’t have the building blocks the basic pieces to
building blocks the basic pieces to
building blocks the basic pieces to actually have life grow in that location
actually have life grow in that location
actually have life grow in that location then we got some of the first images
then we got some of the first images
then we got some of the first images back so this was actually actually the
back so this was actually actually the
back so this was actually actually the first drive and you see the name
first drive and you see the name
first drive and you see the name curiosity after we got to the surface we
curiosity after we got to the surface we
curiosity after we got to the surface we started taking selfies
started taking selfies
started taking selfies so this is one of the first selfies of
so this is one of the first selfies of
so this is one of the first selfies of the rover it’s a shadow
the rover it’s a shadow
the rover it’s a shadow we weren’t really good at it yet then
somebody had some fun with one of our
somebody had some fun with one of our images Optimus Prime came and visit us
that’s fun we have a laser so great we
that’s fun we have a laser so great we would laser here’s what people think we
would laser here’s what people think we
would laser here’s what people think we do sort of fun here’s what we really do
do sort of fun here’s what we really do
do sort of fun here’s what we really do show you the picture on the left
show you the picture on the left
show you the picture on the left undisturbed soil picture on the right
undisturbed soil picture on the right
undisturbed soil picture on the right five laser holes I’ll show it to you a
five laser holes I’ll show it to you a
five laser holes I’ll show it to you a different way we’ll show a video so
different way we’ll show a video so
different way we’ll show a video so here’s a video of us burning a hole in
here’s a video of us burning a hole in
here’s a video of us burning a hole in the ground
the ground
the ground pretty exciting you can see sort of the
pretty exciting you can see sort of the
pretty exciting you can see sort of the byproducts coming off you can’t see the
byproducts coming off you can’t see the
byproducts coming off you can’t see the gas but what we’re actually doing is
gas but what we’re actually doing is
gas but what we’re actually doing is we’re burning a hole looking for the gas
we’re burning a hole looking for the gas
we’re burning a hole looking for the gas so that we can tell what it’s made of so
so that we can tell what it’s made of so
so that we can tell what it’s made of so the first thing that happened after
the first thing that happened after
the first thing that happened after we’ve got after we landed we drove to
we’ve got after we landed we drove to
we’ve got after we landed we drove to this area on Mars that was very
this area on Mars that was very
this area on Mars that was very interesting within the first three
interesting within the first three
interesting within the first three months of being at this location we were
months of being at this location we were
months of being at this location we were able to say one Gale Crater was wet
able to say one Gale Crater was wet
able to say one Gale Crater was wet number two it can sustain life now we
number two it can sustain life now we
number two it can sustain life now we can’t say that there was life there but
can’t say that there was life there but
can’t say that there was life there but we can say that if there was it would
we can say that if there was it would
we can say that if there was it would have been able to be sustained there are
have been able to be sustained there are
have been able to be sustained there are all the chemical compositions that are
all the chemical compositions that are
all the chemical compositions that are needed to support life paying homage to
needed to support life paying homage to
needed to support life paying homage to some of our great explorers before us
some of our great explorers before us
some of our great explorers before us the footprint balls Aldrin and then
the footprint balls Aldrin and then
the footprint balls Aldrin and then Curiosity rover footprint our first
Curiosity rover footprint our first
Curiosity rover footprint our first scoop so we now went down and we scooped
scoop so we now went down and we scooped
scoop so we now went down and we scooped up some of the dirt we’re gonna actually
up some of the dirt we’re gonna actually
up some of the dirt we’re gonna actually take that inside the vehicle some more
take that inside the vehicle some more
take that inside the vehicle some more of these analogs
of these analogs
of these analogs so looks like riverbeds picture on the
so looks like riverbeds picture on the
so looks like riverbeds picture on the left is uncorrect adjustin image that
left is uncorrect adjustin image that
left is uncorrect adjustin image that comes back from the surface of mars
comes back from the surface of mars
comes back from the surface of mars looks like a riverbed you could see
looks like a riverbed you could see
looks like a riverbed you could see false cover image of Mars that’s sort of
false cover image of Mars that’s sort of
false cover image of Mars that’s sort of in the middle and then an earth riverbed
in the middle and then an earth riverbed
in the middle and then an earth riverbed looks very very similar here’s the first
looks very very similar here’s the first
looks very very similar here’s the first time we’re gonna sample we’re gonna
time we’re gonna sample we’re gonna
time we’re gonna sample we’re gonna drill in surface of Mars I can tell you
drill in surface of Mars I can tell you
drill in surface of Mars I can tell you this took a long time it took us about
this took a long time it took us about
this took a long time it took us about four weeks to actually make this one
four weeks to actually make this one
four weeks to actually make this one little hole there’s a picture of the
little hole there’s a picture of the
little hole there’s a picture of the hole up close the next image is after
hole up close the next image is after
hole up close the next image is after we’ve taken that and we ingest it inside
we’ve taken that and we ingest it inside
we’ve taken that and we ingest it inside we can actually separate different
we can actually separate different
we can actually separate different particle size so we can take things that
particle size so we can take things that
particle size so we can take things that are down to a couple microns
are down to a couple microns
are down to a couple microns well sieve those out and then we can
well sieve those out and then we can
well sieve those out and then we can deliver those to different instruments
deliver those to different instruments
deliver those to different instruments here’s a picture of Mount sharp this is
here’s a picture of Mount sharp this is
here’s a picture of Mount sharp this is where we wanted to go it was an early
where we wanted to go it was an early
where we wanted to go it was an early picture there’s a
picture there’s a
picture there’s a rock that’s out in the distance that
rock that’s out in the distance that
rock that’s out in the distance that rock is 5.5 kilometers away from a rover
rock is 5.5 kilometers away from a rover
rock is 5.5 kilometers away from a rover and it’s approximately the same size as
and it’s approximately the same size as
and it’s approximately the same size as a rover and we’re thinking oh my
a rover and we’re thinking oh my
a rover and we’re thinking oh my goodness it’d be so great if we can make
goodness it’d be so great if we can make
goodness it’d be so great if we can make it there the other thing that you’ll
it there the other thing that you’ll
it there the other thing that you’ll notice in this image if you’re looking
notice in this image if you’re looking
notice in this image if you’re looking closely is there’s clouds Mars does have
closely is there’s clouds Mars does have
closely is there’s clouds Mars does have clouds just like earth right so there is
clouds just like earth right so there is
clouds just like earth right so there is moisture in the atmosphere so this image
moisture in the atmosphere so this image
moisture in the atmosphere so this image shows sort of our trajectory to get down
shows sort of our trajectory to get down
shows sort of our trajectory to get down to the start of the mountain and as we
to the start of the mountain and as we
to the start of the mountain and as we were driving we were starting to figure
were driving we were starting to figure
were driving we were starting to figure out oh my goodness there’s parts of Mars
out oh my goodness there’s parts of Mars
out oh my goodness there’s parts of Mars that are really really scary and the
that are really really scary and the
that are really really scary and the reason they’re really really scary is
reason they’re really really scary is
reason they’re really really scary is that the rocks that are on the surface
that the rocks that are on the surface
that the rocks that are on the surface are different than we’ve ever seen
are different than we’ve ever seen
are different than we’ve ever seen anywhere else on the surface of Mars as
anywhere else on the surface of Mars as
anywhere else on the surface of Mars as we were driving on Mars the spirit an
we were driving on Mars the spirit an
we were driving on Mars the spirit an opportunity we’d hit a rock and we’d
opportunity we’d hit a rock and we’d
opportunity we’d hit a rock and we’d break it or you’d push it over and move
break it or you’d push it over and move
break it or you’d push it over and move it out of the way in this particular
it out of the way in this particular
it out of the way in this particular area the rocks are like cemented into
area the rocks are like cemented into
area the rocks are like cemented into the ground and then they have this word
the ground and then they have this word
the ground and then they have this word I don’t know I’m just gonna use it
I don’t know I’m just gonna use it
I don’t know I’m just gonna use it it’s called vent affected rocks other
it’s called vent affected rocks other
it’s called vent affected rocks other words the rocks are windblown so if you
words the rocks are windblown so if you
words the rocks are windblown so if you can imagine you’re covered with water
can imagine you’re covered with water
can imagine you’re covered with water and as the water recedes the wind starts
and as the water recedes the wind starts
and as the water recedes the wind starts working on the rock and as it recedes it
working on the rock and as it recedes it
working on the rock and as it recedes it sharpens the rock so the rocks look like
sharpens the rock so the rocks look like
sharpens the rock so the rocks look like teeth very very sharp teeth and as we’re
teeth very very sharp teeth and as we’re
teeth very very sharp teeth and as we’re driving over them or puncturing holes in
driving over them or puncturing holes in
driving over them or puncturing holes in the wheels so we thought oh my goodness
the wheels so we thought oh my goodness
the wheels so we thought oh my goodness one we have to figure out how not to
one we have to figure out how not to
one we have to figure out how not to hurt our wheels and number two we have
hurt our wheels and number two we have
hurt our wheels and number two we have to figure out where to drive around
to figure out where to drive around
to figure out where to drive around things so you can see we take sort of
things so you can see we take sort of
things so you can see we take sort of this really crazy path and then we get
this really crazy path and then we get
this really crazy path and then we get to the place that’s at the end of this
to the place that’s at the end of this
to the place that’s at the end of this particular image and the scientists had
particular image and the scientists had
particular image and the scientists had a choice we could go right effectively
a choice we could go right effectively
a choice we could go right effectively right from the rover’s perspective and
right from the rover’s perspective and
right from the rover’s perspective and go through this area right here which is
go through this area right here which is
go through this area right here which is a choke point there’s really no way to
a choke point there’s really no way to
a choke point there’s really no way to get out if you get in there or we could
get out if you get in there or we could
get out if you get in there or we could go straight very very bad rocks so he
go straight very very bad rocks so he
go straight very very bad rocks so he chose to go right so you’re right we’re
chose to go right so you’re right we’re
chose to go right so you’re right we’re in a bright we take some images of our
in a bright we take some images of our
in a bright we take some images of our wheels we started to see lots of where
wheels we started to see lots of where
wheels we started to see lots of where as we were driving over this area called
as we were driving over this area called
as we were driving over this area called the hummocky plains and the hole that
the hummocky plains and the hole that
the hummocky plains and the hole that you see is at sort of benign the thing
you see is at sort of benign the thing
you see is at sort of benign the thing that’s actually really scary is the hole
that’s actually really scary is the hole
that’s actually really scary is the hole that’s underneath that and the reason
that’s underneath that and the reason
that’s underneath that and the reason it’s scariest as we’re driving over the
it’s scariest as we’re driving over the
it’s scariest as we’re driving over the surface what we’re going to do is the
surface what we’re going to do is the
surface what we’re going to do is the the wheel is taking load right it’s
the wheel is taking load right it’s
the wheel is taking load right it’s moving it’s actually getting stressed
moving it’s actually getting stressed
moving it’s actually getting stressed and every time you do that you’re
and every time you do that you’re
and every time you do that you’re actually having this
actually having this
actually having this propagating and we were worried oh my
propagating and we were worried oh my
propagating and we were worried oh my goodness how are the wheels gonna fail
goodness how are the wheels gonna fail
goodness how are the wheels gonna fail these cracks are gonna propagate across
these cracks are gonna propagate across
these cracks are gonna propagate across the wheel and then part of the wheels
the wheel and then part of the wheels
the wheel and then part of the wheels gonna fall off and the part of the wheel
gonna fall off and the part of the wheel
gonna fall off and the part of the wheel that falls off is it going to hit
that falls off is it going to hit
that falls off is it going to hit anything that’s bad because there’s
anything that’s bad because there’s
anything that’s bad because there’s cables all around this so as the wheel
cables all around this so as the wheel
cables all around this so as the wheel falls apart it’s gonna do this so now
falls apart it’s gonna do this so now
falls apart it’s gonna do this so now what we’re doing is selectively on
what we’re doing is selectively on
what we’re doing is selectively on different soils we’re driving the rover
different soils we’re driving the rover
different soils we’re driving the rover backwards so driving backwards actually
backwards so driving backwards actually
backwards so driving backwards actually takes a little bit of load off the front
takes a little bit of load off the front
takes a little bit of load off the front wheels same about about the same on the
wheels same about about the same on the
wheels same about about the same on the minimum wheels and then starts to do
minimum wheels and then starts to do
minimum wheels and then starts to do some damage to the back wheels but
some damage to the back wheels but
some damage to the back wheels but that’s okay because they’re not damaged
that’s okay because they’re not damaged
that’s okay because they’re not damaged at all at this point so we’re gonna
at all at this point so we’re gonna
at all at this point so we’re gonna start to try to even out the way across
start to try to even out the way across
start to try to even out the way across the wheel so that we get a little bit
the wheel so that we get a little bit
the wheel so that we get a little bit longer driving the other thing that we
longer driving the other thing that we
longer driving the other thing that we noticed and I told you we went to that
noticed and I told you we went to that
noticed and I told you we went to that choke point is that with damaged wheels
choke point is that with damaged wheels
choke point is that with damaged wheels we could drive over sand dunes better so
we could drive over sand dunes better so
we could drive over sand dunes better so climbing over nice light stuff was
climbing over nice light stuff was
climbing over nice light stuff was actually better with these holes in the
actually better with these holes in the
actually better with these holes in the wheel so we turn right we get to the
wheel so we turn right we get to the
wheel so we turn right we get to the sand dune now we’ve done some testing we
sand dune now we’ve done some testing we
sand dune now we’ve done some testing we know that we could drive over but as all
know that we could drive over but as all
know that we could drive over but as all good engineers and all good scientists
good engineers and all good scientists
good engineers and all good scientists go we go well what happens if there’s
go we go well what happens if there’s
go we go well what happens if there’s really sharp rocks underneath the dune
really sharp rocks underneath the dune
really sharp rocks underneath the dune so we argued for about two days about
so we argued for about two days about
so we argued for about two days about driving over this dune and I’m thinking
driving over this dune and I’m thinking
driving over this dune and I’m thinking golly it’s only a meter tall so it’s a
golly it’s only a meter tall so it’s a
golly it’s only a meter tall so it’s a meter tall you know three feet and the
meter tall you know three feet and the
meter tall you know three feet and the rover’s belly is 75 centimeters so 3/4
rover’s belly is 75 centimeters so 3/4
rover’s belly is 75 centimeters so 3/4 of a meter so if it was really just
of a meter so if it was really just
of a meter so if it was really just light fluffy you know sand dune we would
light fluffy you know sand dune we would
light fluffy you know sand dune we would get stuck but the reality is is the
get stuck but the reality is is the
get stuck but the reality is is the rover would sort of float over it but we
rover would sort of float over it but we
rover would sort of float over it but we were freaked out for a little while so
were freaked out for a little while so
were freaked out for a little while so we did some testing and then we decided
we did some testing and then we decided
we did some testing and then we decided to go but we didn’t decide to go all at
to go but we didn’t decide to go all at
to go but we didn’t decide to go all at once we put a toe in and then put
once we put a toe in and then put
once we put a toe in and then put another toe in and we drove up to the
another toe in and we drove up to the
another toe in and we drove up to the top and looked over and we drove back
top and looked over and we drove back
top and looked over and we drove back and then we said okay go so here’s the
and then we said okay go so here’s the
and then we said okay go so here’s the image from the other side here’s the
image from the other side here’s the
image from the other side here’s the video of us driving over that particular
video of us driving over that particular
video of us driving over that particular obstacle sort of fun but it took us a
obstacle sort of fun but it took us a
obstacle sort of fun but it took us a while to do that then we have where
while to do that then we have where
while to do that then we have where we’ve gone so we land at Bradbury we go
we’ve gone so we land at Bradbury we go
we’ve gone so we land at Bradbury we go over to Yellowknife Bay and now we’re at
over to Yellowknife Bay and now we’re at
over to Yellowknife Bay and now we’re at the pump hills and the pump hills are
the pump hills and the pump hills are
the pump hills and the pump hills are more or less the Gateway to Mount sharp
more or less the Gateway to Mount sharp
more or less the Gateway to Mount sharp our first drill at prompt hills now you
our first drill at prompt hills now you
our first drill at prompt hills now you can see it really looks sort of clay ish
can see it really looks sort of clay ish
can see it really looks sort of clay ish we do some close-up investigation we can
we do some close-up investigation we can
we do some close-up investigation we can see these lines looks like secretions
see these lines looks like secretions
see these lines looks like secretions and hard stuff around it the mineral
and hard stuff around it the mineral
and hard stuff around it the mineral that we believe that’s there and we’re
that we believe that’s there and we’re
that we believe that’s there and we’re just doing some investigation right now
just doing some investigation right now
just doing some investigation right now looks like hematite which only forms
looks like hematite which only forms
looks like hematite which only forms from water here on earth so it looks
from water here on earth so it looks
from water here on earth so it looks like we’re finding another place that
like we’re finding another place that
like we’re finding another place that was really wet the surface of Mars
was really wet the surface of Mars
was really wet the surface of Mars and then we can talk about what’s coming
and then we can talk about what’s coming
and then we can talk about what’s coming next and 2020 we have a new Rover you
next and 2020 we have a new Rover you
next and 2020 we have a new Rover you can see some of the science that shows
can see some of the science that shows
can see some of the science that shows the science suite has been announced you
the science suite has been announced you
the science suite has been announced you can see the international collaboration
can see the international collaboration
can see the international collaboration that’s going to happen very very similar
that’s going to happen very very similar
that’s going to happen very very similar vehicle secured eásá t in terms of size
vehicle secured eásá t in terms of size
vehicle secured eásá t in terms of size but has a different mission and its
but has a different mission and its
but has a different mission and its mission really is going to go to sample
mission really is going to go to sample
mission really is going to go to sample the surface of Mars and capture those
the surface of Mars and capture those
the surface of Mars and capture those samples and hopefully return them back
samples and hopefully return them back
samples and hopefully return them back to earth so now as I close I’m gonna
to earth so now as I close I’m gonna
to earth so now as I close I’m gonna show you some of my favorite images from
show you some of my favorite images from
show you some of my favorite images from the surface this image is from curiosity
the surface this image is from curiosity
the surface this image is from curiosity and you see that star that’s out there
and you see that star that’s out there
and you see that star that’s out there it’s earth and then high-resolution you
it’s earth and then high-resolution you
it’s earth and then high-resolution you can see the moon and I’ll show you my
can see the moon and I’ll show you my
can see the moon and I’ll show you my favorite video my favorite image this is
favorite video my favorite image this is
favorite video my favorite image this is from the top of husband Hill it’s one of
from the top of husband Hill it’s one of
from the top of husband Hill it’s one of the last things that we got from Spirit
the last things that we got from Spirit
the last things that we got from Spirit and if we had been able they had a
and if we had been able they had a
and if we had been able they had a little bit better camera we could have
little bit better camera we could have
little bit better camera we could have seen earth set but I’ll show you this as
seen earth set but I’ll show you this as
seen earth set but I’ll show you this as a video and this is a Sun setting on
a video and this is a Sun setting on
a video and this is a Sun setting on Mars and the thing that makes me love
Mars and the thing that makes me love
Mars and the thing that makes me love this image so much is literally the fact
this image so much is literally the fact
this image so much is literally the fact that someday a human being will stand on
that someday a human being will stand on
that someday a human being will stand on the surface of Mars and say I’m watching
the surface of Mars and say I’m watching
the surface of Mars and say I’m watching the earth set and then I’m watching the
the earth set and then I’m watching the
the earth set and then I’m watching the Sun set and I can’t wait for that day
Sun set and I can’t wait for that day
Sun set and I can’t wait for that day thank you guys so very much
thank you guys so very much
thank you guys so very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
you
you [Music]
”
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