Curiosity Departing

 

 

I don’t know if anybody who looks occasionally at this blog also keeps up with spaceflight and stuff, but I just had to write my two cents worth about the “Mars Science Laboratory”,  this big guy is the next rover heading out to mars in a couple months.  “Curiosity” as it has been named is big!  JPL keeps saying it’s the size of a Mini Cooper.  And its very different from its little predecessors in one major way.   This thing is nuclear!  It also happens to be better equipped for geology and chemistry studies, and the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator will let it keep on doing its science stuff right through the martian winter since it makes enough heat not only to power the systems but also to keep the thing from freezing up.   Hopefully this one wont finish its career stuck in a sand trap like the Spirit rover did.

   

JPL has a huge record to live up to, as Spirit and Opportunity way outlived their expected operation time, and Opportunity is still running well.

Also, NASA and JPL really need to consider painting some flames on the side of this thing…  That is the only thing that could make it cooler than it already is.

 

 

 

 

and check out the animation of the landing sequence.  its really nifty!!

Pedernales Falls revisited

My in-laws came to visit last week.  It was a long trip for them, and only lasted a week, so we chose to spend a day driving around the hill country to show them a little of what Texas is all about.  Specifically, Pedernales Falls State Park.  Note: It’s hillarious how I tower over the rest of them =)

     

      On the way back, we crossed the river in Llano.  I had forgotten what a nifty bridge that is, and the waterfall right above it caught my eye.  

   Here are the results.  I think maybe this needs to brighten up a bit, but its fantastic!

There was also a small anniversary party for them at my parents house,  which resulted in this:

This is the result when I asked my brother in law to get creative, I didn’t think this would work…..  Turned out pretty good eh?

Hopefully it wont be 6 months before I post again,    Bye!