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posted by cmn32480 on Sunday October 25 2015, @07:38AM   Printer-friendly
from the out-of-this-world dept.

Destin Sandlin (of SmarterEveryDay) has a behind the scenes look at the the most important thing we sent up to Mars on a nuclear powered robot, the drill. The Drill we sent to Mars (Smarter Every Day 143).

Unsatisfied with the current explanations of the drill and how it analyzes the collected samples, Destin goes to JPL and does some (ahem) digging. Destin visits JPL and we get to see the only Earth bound rover used for testing procedures and maneuvers before sending them to Mars. Megan shows us the sample analyzing system and, around the 7.5 minute mark, Ryan Kinnett shows a 3d clear plastic printed model of the drill housing to show how the auger and sample collecting works.

In this video, we meet (or visit):

  • Mark Rober, rocket crane engineer.
  • Mars Yard, simulation of the Martian surface
  • Curiosity Garage, with the only rover on Earth
  • Megan Richardson, Mechanical Engineer Level II
  • Ryan Kinnett, Drill Systems Engineer

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 3, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Sunday October 25 2015, @07:52AM

    by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Sunday October 25 2015, @07:52AM (#254271) Journal

    Having a background in construction and maintenance, I felt like I could almost reach out and touch things. The explanations were great. The purpose of the drill is not to drill a hole, per se, but to pulverize the material, and supply dust for analysis.

    The next time I pick up a Hilti drill to punch a hole in concrete, I'll be seeing that video in my mind. Maybe I'll grab some cups or something to take "samples". whirrrrr skreeeee kerchunk Nahhh, some other guy will turn into Batman or something, and start hitting me over the head.

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