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Is this easier than having a camera with a self timer, that can be set on the ground, and then go pick it up? At least it would get a realistic perspective.

bigiain 11y ago
Come on - that's kinda missing the point. It's not like they were gonna go buy some mil-spec or space-rated GoPro, then lift it right out of earth's gravity well and schlep it 150 odd million miles to Mars just so they could get some selfies. This is a _brilliant_ hack using all existing equipment in ways it wasn't designed for, but turns out it's quite good at given the constraints.
- netrus 11y ago
  While I agree with what you say, you might under-appreciate the value of cool pictures. Yeah, they are doing cool science stuff up there, but a good part of the value of these missions is to get people excited about space, kids interested in technology, and to give humans some perspective of their place in the universe. A high-resolution selfie of this kind-of-cute robot is as important as the results of their drilling experiments, IMHO.
  - bluepostitnote 11y ago
    This is one of the aspects that gets me excited for airborne drones which can operate in the Martian atmosphere. Not only for the potential offered by longer range, but also the possibility for some great photos of any ground based vehicles whose mission zone overlaps. Great photos can inspire and help fund great science.
    - IneffablePigeon 11y ago
      How much would Mars's thin atmosphere interfere with that plan? Would you be able to lift any significant amount of weight?
      - bluepostitnote 11y ago
        Impacts it a lot, but there are teams working on it: http://www.space.com/30155-nasa-drones-on-mars-video.html http://www.space.com/30155-nasa-drones-on-mars-video.html
smackfu 11y ago
It seems a lot easier, to be honest. Adding all the mechanisms to drop off and retrieve a camera unit would be very complex. This way they just use an existing science instrument.

bigiain 11y ago

Come on - that's kinda missing the point. It's not like they were gonna go buy some mil-spec or space-rated GoPro, then lift it right out of earth's gravity well and schlep it 150 odd million miles to Mars just so they could get some selfies. This is a _brilliant_ hack using all existing equipment in ways it wasn't designed for, but turns out it's quite good at given the constraints.

netrus 11y ago
While I agree with what you say, you might under-appreciate the value of cool pictures. Yeah, they are doing cool science stuff up there, but a good part of the value of these missions is to get people excited about space, kids interested in technology, and to give humans some perspective of their place in the universe. A high-resolution selfie of this kind-of-cute robot is as important as the results of their drilling experiments, IMHO.
- bluepostitnote 11y ago
  This is one of the aspects that gets me excited for airborne drones which can operate in the Martian atmosphere. Not only for the potential offered by longer range, but also the possibility for some great photos of any ground based vehicles whose mission zone overlaps. Great photos can inspire and help fund great science.
  - IneffablePigeon 11y ago
    How much would Mars's thin atmosphere interfere with that plan? Would you be able to lift any significant amount of weight?
    - bluepostitnote 11y ago
      Impacts it a lot, but there are teams working on it: http://www.space.com/30155-nasa-drones-on-mars-video.html http://www.space.com/30155-nasa-drones-on-mars-video.html

smackfu 11y ago

It seems a lot easier, to be honest. Adding all the mechanisms to drop off and retrieve a camera unit would be very complex. This way they just use an existing science instrument.