In 2003, Ewart-Ohlson completed a contract with Pioneer Aerospace and General
Dynamics to machine the mortar tubes for the Mars Exploration Rover
Mission. The mortar tubes were part of the parachute deployment system which
helped guide each of the landers to the Martian surface. Mars Explorer Rover
"A," nicknamed "Spirit," launched from Cape Canaveral on June 10, followed by MER - B,
"Opportunity," on July 7. After two flawless touchdowns, Spirit
and Opportunity both rolled off their landers and are continuing to send back
fascinating pictures and data from the surface of Mars. You can follow the
progress of both rovers at the
JPL/NASA Mars
Exploration Rover website
-- and don't miss the video simulation of the landing available on the
Athena Payload website!
Update:
(From NASA's press release of 05 April 2005)
Durable Mars Rovers Sent Into Third
Overtime Period
NASA has
approved up to 18 more months of operations for Spirit and Opportunity, the
twin Mars rovers that have already surprised engineers and scientists by
continuing active exploration for more than 14 months.
"The rovers
have proven their value with major discoveries about ancient watery
environments on Mars that might have harbored life," said Dr. Ghassem Asrar,
deputy associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. "We are
extending their mission through September 2006 to take advantage of having
such capable resources still healthy and in excellent position to continue
their adventures."
The rovers have already completed 11 months of extensions on top of their
successful three-month prime missions. "We now have to make long-term plans
for the vehicles because they may be around for quite a while," said Jim
Erickson, rover project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena,
Calif.
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Aluminum billets |
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The solid aluminum forgings weigh 560 pounds as received by Ewart-Ohlson. |
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Mortar Tube, top view |
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The forgings are machined into this hollow configuration -- the finished wall is .058" thick. |
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Mortar Tube, bottom view |
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The finished tubes weigh only 11.8 pounds -- 98% of the material has been removed |
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Mortar Tube, detail |
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Ewart-Ohlson produced twenty of these parts, two of which ended up on the surface of Mars. |
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Entering the atmosphere: |
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A simulated image of the Rover as the parachute slows its descent through the Martian atmosphere. (Courtesy NASA/JPL). |
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Approaching the surface: |
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Another simulated image, showing the deployed parachute and the firing of the retro-rockets. (Courtesy NASA/JPL). |
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(Click on the pictures for a larger view)
