Yesterday's meeting was a science team, brought together to debate goals and configurations for a robotic mission to Phobos... I was there to discuss whether subsurface access was feasible for a modest mission, ranging from rock abrasion tools to multi-segmented drills. Anchoring is an issue... it is more like docking with the small planetoid rather than a proper landing. I argued that a cold-gas hovercraft is the best way to approach and stay close to outcrops and boulders, as wheels hitting bumps would send a craft up into space.
My dinner companion was the study co-I, Alan Hildebrand, of Chicxulub fame...
yami_mcmoots will probably appreciate this ;-).
I'm over my personal angst... I think that I just don't do shallow or first interactions well. But deeper... yes.
My dinner companion was the study co-I, Alan Hildebrand, of Chicxulub fame...
I'm over my personal angst... I think that I just don't do shallow or first interactions well. But deeper... yes.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-17 10:59 pm (UTC)glad to hear you're over it.
You're a *drilling* expert. Of course you do deeper well.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-17 11:20 pm (UTC)