Beagle 2

Mal · 25-12-2003, 20:44

Is it just me, or is there a conspiracy theory here somewhere?

Xaccers · 25-12-2003, 20:47

We do seem to have loads of problems getting to mars don't we?

Course with beagle 2, the transmission is sent straight up, in a very tight cone (who's idea was that?) so if the orbiting part misses the cone, we won't get a signal

paulyoung666 · 25-12-2003, 20:57

does any one remember the martian chronicles or more recently red planet , makes you think dont it

trebor · 25-12-2003, 21:08

hold on i'll get the telescope out and go and have a look whats happened.

Xaccers · 25-12-2003, 21:10

Wonder if they can use Hubble to do that?

Mal · 25-12-2003, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebor

hold on i'll get the telescope out and go and have a look whats happened.

Why don't you ask your mate?

trebor · 25-12-2003, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Wonder if they can use Hubble to do that?

they are using jodrell bank to listen for it on the 401mhz band (where's my radio gone)
http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/public/BeagleII.html

the hubble is a good idea though, a hubble picture of mars is here
http://www.kidsgrove-astro.co.uk/ I wonder if they can zoom in anymore.

homealone · 25-12-2003, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

We do seem to have loads of problems getting to mars don't we?

Course with beagle 2, the transmission is sent straight up, in a very tight cone (who's idea was that?) so if the orbiting part misses the cone, we won't get a signal

also a crucial part of the deployment was recharging the batteries, no battery, no signal.?

I really hope beagle 2 landed ok & can lock on its telemetery, but it is not looking good atm?

Gaz

paulyoung666 · 25-12-2003, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

also a crucial part of the deployment was recharging the batteries, no battery, no signal.?

I really hope beagle 2 landed ok & can lock on its telemetery, but it is not looking good atm?

Gaz

aint seen no update yet so we will have to wait and see i suppose

**Russ B** · 25-12-2003, 23:03

I wonder if NTL had anything to do with this project.....

homealone · 25-12-2003, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

aint seen no update yet so we will have to wait and see i suppose

the link in trebors post says 11.20 tomorrow for a possible via Jodrell Bank - fingers crossed!

Gaz

Nor · 25-12-2003, 23:40

I really do hope it works.The thing is, the statalite thats trying to speak to it at the moment was launched before they even agreed the deal with Nasa. Which means zero testing in them actually being able to handshake, although you'd imagine they'd be able to test the systems here.

There is another orbiter which goes past it on Jan 4th I think which they definately know can handshake with the beagle 2. Lets hope if all else fails that can speak to it.

So important this mission, especially so because if it fails we'll struggle to get stuff funded in the future.

ntluser · 26-12-2003, 08:29

I find it interesting that there does not appear to be a backup plan to cover all eventualities as most problems suggested were known about from the outset.

It appears to be the case that if Beagle 2 cannot get power from the sun via its solar panels then the mission's over. Not exactly a brilliant design feature.

It would have been helpful if they had set up a ring of geostationary communication/ science investigation satellites around Mars first so that communication was possible from anywhere on the planet. It would also have been possible to do remote investigations and transmit data back to Earth.

It would also have been useful to have built a camera into the Beagle 2 so that if it crashed everybody back at the launch base would definitely know.

Ah, well, it's early days yet...maybe Beagle 3 will make it...assuming funds are available.

**Jefferson T** · 26-12-2003, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntluser

It would also have been useful to have built a camera into the Beagle 2 so that if it crashed everybody back at the launch base would definitely know.

I wonder what sort of camera - and transmitter, power supply. Would survive a crash landing - and possible burn up in the atmoshpere and STILL be able to send back a picture of a broken lander?

Of course if they could do THAT then they wouldn't NEED a camera to do that job as it would be put to taking pictures of mars

ntluser · 26-12-2003, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

I wonder what sort of camera - and transmitter, power supply. Would survive a crash landing - and possible burn up in the atmoshpere and STILL be able to send back a picture of a broken lander?

Of course if they could do THAT then they wouldn't NEED a camera to do that job as it would be put to taking pictures of mars

Perhaps one fitted with its own power source and an eject mechanism rigged so that when Beagle 2's heat shield was compromised, it ejected.

It wouldn't have to survive a crash landing, just merely report one visually. Like you, I doubt, given our ability to build only relatively small, highly expensive craft, that we would be able to construct a craft capable of surviving a crash landing at the speeds involved in space travel.

But all is not lost, Beagle 2 may survive and start transmitting but the odds are against it unless it has some form of self-righting mechanism, it's transmitter is OK and it is able to deploy its solar panels.