85 million for a 4 pound drone to fly for 30 seconds at an altitude of 10 feet. WTF?
docb said:
85 million for a 4 pound drone to fly for 30 seconds at an altitude of 10 feet. WTF?
CSTXAg92 said:
It's a collaboration with Yeti.
Aggie Hunter said:
It's a Tesla........and it drives itself!!!
That's smart. Protect it from grizzlies on Mars.CSTXAg92 said:
It's a collaboration with Yeti.
You and OP don't seem to realize these are just test flights to check systems before the real flights begin.CSTXAg92 said:
Here's a video... $85M for this seems... well, unbelievable.
Eliminatus said:
I know I am supposed to be facetious about this but man, that damn thing is truly a marvel. That little thing is FAR more complex and powerful (computing wise at least) than the main rover unit. It legitimately may be the most advanced piece of tech humanity has at this moment.
The tech trickling down from this is going to be huge. Pretty much every aspect of it is cutting edge. The materials research and gains alone will shift some industries in the near future.
I'm a nerd studying this stuff. I'm a fan boi.
It'll be worth it. I mean, it's gubment money. So it's not real anyways and from what I can tell, the tech is open domain at this time. Not protected by IP I think. Just gotta be in a position to capitalize on it.
probably the most reasonable spend of $85M by a govt entity in modern history. at least there is something to show for it.CSTXAg92 said:
Here's a video... $85M for this seems... well, unbelievable.
No, the computer powered by the nuclear reactor strapped to the rover is though...Tony Franklins Other Shoe said:
Is Matt Damon filming that and sending it back?
SWC Ag said:You and OP don't seem to realize these are just test flights to check systems before the real flights begin.CSTXAg92 said:
Here's a video... $85M for this seems... well, unbelievable.
Do people really think they sent a drone to Mars to fly 10 feet up and down? Good lord.
docb said:
From what I read on the NASA article it really doesn't do much more than that. Essentially it is really just testing if it can fly and survive the climate? I personally don't believe they will gain much insight from the drone. I guess I am just skeptical because I do not see anything of value on Mars.
And yet, think of all the **** we can't get right in our workplaces right now.The Fife said:
I agree, this is no simple drone. It has to be fully autonomous, operate in extreme cold, and fly in an atmosphere with 1% the density of what it is on earth. It's the equivalent of going 30,000 higher than any helicopter has ever gone before.
BurrOak said:
I'm expecting a Decepticon to appear out of nowhere and smash this thing.
According to 1 website I just looked up the US spends $47 billion annually on the war on drugs. so this amazing machine cost about the same as 1/2 day worth of the war on drugs.rootube said:docb said:
From what I read on the NASA article it really doesn't do much more than that. Essentially it is really just testing if it can fly and survive the climate? I personally don't believe they will gain much insight from the drone. I guess I am just skeptical because I do not see anything of value on Mars.
Logic says that the money would be better spent here on earth where we are screwing it up left right and center, but at the risk of sounding corny humans are wired to explore and this is an astounding accomplishment. We don't do many daring things anymore so I approve despite the lack of an obvious benefit to people here on earth.
dodger02 said:And yet, think of all the **** we can't get right in our workplaces right now.The Fife said:
I agree, this is no simple drone. It has to be fully autonomous, operate in extreme cold, and fly in an atmosphere with 1% the density of what it is on earth. It's the equivalent of going 30,000 higher than any helicopter has ever gone before.
Someone just flew a goddamed helicopter on Mars from Houston and yet I can't reliably send an email to all of my team members at work.
rootube said:docb said:
From what I read on the NASA article it really doesn't do much more than that. Essentially it is really just testing if it can fly and survive the climate? I personally don't believe they will gain much insight from the drone. I guess I am just skeptical because I do not see anything of value on Mars.
Logic says that the money would be better spent here on earth where we are screwing it up left right and center, but at the risk of sounding corny humans are wired to explore and this is an astounding accomplishment. We don't do many daring things anymore so I approve despite the lack of an obvious benefit to people here on earth.
If we have any gas left by thenboulderaggie said:
You guys just wait. This is a stepping stone. One day we'll develop ORBITING craft that will be equipped with all kinds of instrumentation like high resolution cameras, radio detection and ranging (Ra.D.A.R. for short), and on and on. The future's gonna be a gas!