# Opportunity reaches Victoria Crater on Mars **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2006, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450 "2006-09-28T01:22:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/1 "2006-09-28T01:22:50Z")
How cool is that? [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15035649/](http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15035649/) Pretty nifty, huh? 950+ days into the mission, our spunky little rover crosses the Martian desert to reach a crater a half-mile wide and 230 feet deep, showing off martian history in its strata! Call me Mr. Science Geek, but I find this stuff tons more fascinating than the shuttle missions or the space station goings-on. We’re f\*\*\*ing exploring another planet!! [cool crater map](http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20060926a/Victoria_Campaign_Traverse-B951R1_br2.jpg) No tharks or warhoons yet, tho. Not even a zitidar or thoat. \<\\> ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/2 "2006-09-28T05:50:30Z")
That’s very cool, exploring another planet. Hell, all the planets we’re learning about these days. It’s a fascinating time for exploration! Even with NASA’s slashed budgets and catastrophic failures, they are becoming the Little Agency That Could. The thing I’m REALLY stoked to see… is when we land a probe on the surface of Europa, and penetrate the ice, or at least get a better idea of what is down there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/3 "2006-09-28T05:54:02Z")
I wish they’d scrap the shuttle and work more on planetary exploration. Because, let’s face it, our planet is doomed sooner or later, so we’d better start setting up bases elsewhere. I’ll be in line for the emigration to Mars for sure. I want a window seat. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/4 "2006-09-28T13:23:10Z")
That is amazing. [slight hijack] Does anyone know if the mars rover has any type of self righting device? From what I understand, they plan on driving the thing into the crater after they’ve explored the rim. I’m picturing the rover tumbling down over the lip and they doing nothing but sending upside-down pictures until the batteries die [/slight hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/5 "2006-09-28T14:07:15Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] How cool is that? [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15035649/](http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15035649/) Pretty nifty, huh? 950+ days into the mission, our spunky little rover crosses the Martian desert to reach a crater a half-mile wide and 230 feet deep, showing off martian history in its strata! Call me Mr. Science Geek, but I find this stuff tons more fascinating than the shuttle missions or the space station goings-on. We’re f\*\*\*ing exploring another planet!! [cool crater map](http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20060926a/Victoria_Campaign_Traverse-B951R1_br2.jpg) No tharks or warhoons yet, tho. Not even a zitidar or thoat. \<\\> [/QUOTE] You want tharks, get down into the dead sea bottoms. Everyone knows that! Tharks, indeed. But if they value their probe they’ll keep it up on the _handramit_ out of the way. If it starts bothering my _hnau_ I shall be forced to make it a body of different movements. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/6 "2006-09-28T15:50:42Z")
Thanks for the link and the update. [QUOTE=brewha] Does anyone know if the mars rover has any type of self righting device? [/QUOTE] It doesn’t, but so far that hasn’t been a problem. The machines have fairly low centers of gravity, and the operators have been extremely careful about the slopes they try to navigate. I recall seeing a story a few months ago about another crater they were trying to get into, but they had to circle most of the rim before they found an entry point that met their safety standards. Big jobbie like this, they shouldn’t have any trouble locating a gentle natural ramp. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/7 "2006-09-28T15:59:58Z")
When the Martain fossils of long dead lobsters, clams, corals, etc. are found, will NASA keep it secret? I’ve wonderd about the do-called martian fossils-anybody have an opinion? ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/8 "2006-09-28T16:22:18Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] When the Martain fossils of long dead lobsters, clams, corals, etc. are found, will NASA keep it secret? [/QUOTE] Since finding life would most likely get them a much bigger budget and all kinds of cool new Mars missions (maybe even sending folks there to poke around in person), I doubt they’d keep it quiet. 🙂 The missions of Spirit and Opportunity have been seriously cool. What I think may be the most impressive is that they planned for ninety day missions, and here they are two and a half years later, still plugging along. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/9 "2006-09-28T16:23:42Z")
Sweet! I also get more worked up about this, the previous Mars orbiters/rovers, Galileo, etc. than orbital missions. Now that I think about it, I probably know more about the Venera missions than the next 1000 people on the street (but only the next 20 people here I bet ;)) [QUOTE=brewha] I’m picturing the rover tumbling down over the lip and they doing nothing but sending upside-down pictures until the batteries die [/QUOTE] As **Cervaise** says, the [rovers](http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/mission/spacecraft_surface_rover.html) have a low center of gravity, and can descend fairly steep surfaces safely. If it _did_ roll however, while the front and rear navigational cameras might still be functional, there’s no way the antenna would be able to communicate data. Basically, it would disappear like the [Mars Polar Lander](http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/index.html), the [Mars Observer](http://www.msss.com/mars/observer/project/mo_loss/moloss.html), the [Mars Climate Orbiter](http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/orbiter/), etc., only it would take less time to figure out what probably went wrong. [QUOTE=ralph124c] When the Martain fossils of long dead lobsters, clams, corals, etc. are found, will NASA keep it secret? I’ve wonderd about the do-called martian fossils-anybody have an opinion? [/QUOTE] In case you’re serious: Sure. They’ll keep secret something that everyone working there has been dreaming about finding since elementary school, and would octuple their operating budget overnight. You betcha. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/10 "2006-09-28T16:36:15Z")
Shadows and being protected from the wind might be bad for the poor little tyke’s solar panels. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/11 "2006-09-28T16:43:58Z")
By now there should be several websites claiming that these photos are actually coming from a studio in Burbank CA, or some such. Or have the lunar landing theorists not yet brought their stories up to date? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/12 "2006-09-28T17:12:48Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] When the Martain fossils of long dead lobsters, clams, corals, etc. are found, will NASA keep it secret? I’ve wonderd about the do-called martian fossils-anybody have an opinion? [/QUOTE] Heck with that; I want to see them release news of finding a bunch of used hypdermic needles, empty soda cans, and used condoms. Now _that_ would be news… ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/13 "2006-09-28T17:13:22Z")
If there are Martians, will they answer when _Opportunity_ knocks? Sailboat ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/14 "2006-09-28T17:19:29Z")
I can’t believe they’re still going. I would have thoat they’d have died a year in. Go, you crazy little skateboards, go! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/15 "2006-09-28T17:31:13Z")
[QUOTE=E-Sabbath] I would have thoat they’d have died a year in. [/QUOTE] Typo or [Freudian Slip?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barsoom) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/16 "2006-09-28T17:42:37Z")
[QUOTE=NurseCarmen] Shadows and being protected from the wind might be bad for the poor little tyke’s solar panels. [/QUOTE] It being winter, rumor has it that the rover needs to travel to the far side of the crater in order to catch enough sunlight to make a descent feasible. There’s also an inferior conjunction of Mars coming up on October 23; so we’ll be losing communications shortly. I expect that they’ll wait until Mars comes out from behind the sun before attempting the crater walls. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/17 "2006-09-28T18:22:16Z")
[QUOTE=Malacandra] You want tharks, get down into the dead sea bottoms. Everyone knows that! Tharks, indeed. But if they value their probe they’ll keep it up on the _handramit_ out of the way. If it starts bothering my _hnau_ I shall be forced to make it a body of different movements. [/QUOTE] That took me a second to place. I was thinking, I know what a hnau is but why can’t I remember why…then I looked at your user name. It clicked right away. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/18 "2006-09-28T18:29:34Z")
[QUOTE=if6was9] The thing I’m REALLY stoked to see… is when we land a probe on the surface of Europa, and penetrate the ice, or at least get a better idea of what is down there. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Funny you should mention that. I’ve seen the [DepthX](http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/europa.html) vehicle up close and personal. It will be back in our test tank again in a couple of weeks. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/19 "2006-09-28T20:18:36Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] Typo or [Freudian Slip?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barsoom) [/QUOTE] Neither, horrid pun. Geez, four-arms, get a grip! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450/20 "2006-09-28T20:35:04Z")
[QUOTE=E-Sabbath] Geez, four-arms, get a grip! [/QUOTE] To heck with you and the thoat you rode in on! 🙂 Four arms? Maybe it’s a green thing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opportunity-reaches-victoria-crater-on-mars/374450.md?page=2)