65dBnoiseFeb 22, 2023

Ken Farley's presentation in #MEPAG39 showed a path along the east side of the foothills that lie to the west of the valley ahead of #Perseverance, but more interestingly it showed a mark for science activity around the place where #Ingenuity is currently located after its #Flight44.

The red mark shows the #MarsHelicopter's 44th landing, the green path is from the presentation. The background map is drawn in #QGIS with data from #HiRISE and #MMGIS

#Mars2020 #NASA #Solarocks #Space

Show threadTom Montgomery
@65dBnoise
Interesting! We need RTE images from flight 44!
Feb 22, 2023 at 7:30pmWeb
Show thread65dBnoiseFeb 22, 2023

@tom30519
If #Flight45 occurs before we get the images from #Flight44, then we may have to wait a bit longer until the rover clears the hills obstructing the LOS.

Though, I can't see what is there at that mark that's so interesting geologically, but then again, IANAG™ ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄

Show threadTom MontgomeryFeb 22, 2023

@65dBnoise
We don't yet have RTE images from #Flight43, let alone #Flight44.

Unless Ingenuity was in such a rush to get ahead that no RTE photos were taken, but that would be very unlikely, I'd think.

Show thread65dBnoiseFeb 22, 2023
@tom30519
The current RMC 33.3878 location appears to be good for a workable long distance UHF link. I would expect to see many images transferred from heli to the rover there before a craft moves to another location. Why miss the opportunity? Now, when *we* will get them depends on other factors. The date_received JSON field that comes with the images isn't very helpful in providing that time of transfer information.
Show threadTom MontgomeryFeb 22, 2023

@65dBnoise
Clearly, we need to send up a satellite, in a geosynchronous orbit over Jezero, to monitor the activity and communications for our own enlightment! 🤓

Or maybe a balloon... they seem to be all the rage lately.

Show threadPaul HammondFeb 23, 2023
@tom30519 @65dBnoise
I think someone needs to reboot the DSN and or the M20 image server :) The image withdrawal symptoms are kicking in...
Show threadTom MontgomeryFeb 23, 2023

@PaulHammond51 @65dBnoise
The DSN Now page <https://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/dsn.html> has been down for a while now; "performing updates".

Or maybe the network is as silent as protrayed on that website! 😨

Deep Space Network Now

The real time status of communications with our deep space explorers

Deep Space Network Now
Show threadPaul HammondFeb 23, 2023

@tom30519 @65dBnoise

That's reported as being taken down due to some sort of security upgrade.

Show thread65dBnoiseFeb 23, 2023
@tom30519 @PaulHammond51
Fortunately the JSON feeds with scheduled operations work. They too were down for a period of time recently.
Show thread65dBnoiseFeb 23, 2023
@tom30519
IIRC, there *are* plans for a high data rate satellite communications network based on laser technology to be in place before the current orbiters go out of service. I can't recall if any of the satellites will be in areosynchronous orbit though.