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Mars
Science Laboratory (MSL) |
Curiosity Rover |
Launch: November,
2011
Landing: August, 2012
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The search for evidence of past or
present life on Mars will begin with a search for evidence of
conditions supportive of life (such as evidence of the activity
of water), rather than a search for life itself. The discovery
of particular types of rocks and minerals can help scientists
determine past or present water activity. Mineralogical analysis
also can provide insights into pressure and temperature conditions,
past climate, activity of biologically significant gases, even
the presence of chemical sources of energy useful for life. |
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The MSL rover will be far more advanced
than the current MER rovers because of the large number of highly
advanced science instruments MSL will carry. Besides the eight
instruments selected by NASA it will also carry DAN, a pulsed
neutron source and detector for measuring hydrogen (including
water), provided by the Russian Space Agency. In addition MSL
will include a meteorological package and an ultraviolet sensor
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Left: MSL's ChemCam laser analysing
a large rock. The SAM and CheMin instruments will be located
inside the rover. |
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Oct. 8, 2008: Cost
Overruns Threaten NASA's Next-Generation Mars Rover Project.
The FOXNews.com article used my artwork
and added the words "What A Waste". Too bad the article
didn't include the image credit: Corby Waste, like they should
have! |
NASA Press Briefing on
two year launch delay of Mars Science Laboratory
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The Dec., 2008 NASA HQ Press Briefing
on a two year launch delay of Mars Science Laboratory featured
my artwork. Above are screen captures from NASA TV. The panel
participants from left to right were NASA Administrator Mike
Griffin, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate
Ed Weiler, Mars Exploration Program director Doug McCuiston and
JPL Director Charles Elachi. |
JPL Director Charles Elachi
at life-size Mars Science Laboratory unveiling
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JPL Director Charles Elachi was a prominent
speaker at a Pasadena event organized by the Art Center College
of Design. He unveiled a life-size portrait of the Mars Science
Laboratory that I created specially for the event. The rover
is very large as demonstrated by the woman standing next to it.
I wasn't at the event but fortunately someone sent me these pictures. |
Seeing Mars Science Laboratory's
development at JPL
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High Bay gallery visitors at JPL can
see the development of most of the Mars Science Laboratory mission
hardware. The rover and descent stage were built "in-house". |
New Mars Yard Opening Day
at JPL featured MSL engineering prototype "Scarecrow"
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New Mars Yard Opening Day at JPL
featured MSL engineering prototype "Scarecrow"
I attended the grand opening ceremony
and media event and got to see the Scarecrow drive out of a building
and over rocks. I took pictures and greatly enjoyed the unique
scene. MSL can climb over very high rocks, if necessary!
Click on the images
for larger version. |
Getting Mars Science Laboratory
to Mars
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MSL will be launched from Florida on
an Atlas V rocket like the one in this image. |
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The very large parachute for MSL undergoing
tests in the world's largest wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research
Center. More info here. |
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Curiosity Mars Science
Laboratory Large Pic Posters
Click on them
to see full-size |
Mars Science Laboratory
Project Links
Mars Science
Laboratory site - JPL
MSL Science Instrument
Links
MSL Project Documents with
my artwork
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Mugs with my MSL
artwork are available at the JPL store here |
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I thought I'd seen everything but this
was a surprise - a very large blanket with my MSL artwork was
available at one time. |
MSL postage stamps
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