Sponsor for PC Pals Forum
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Simulations May Explain Loss of Beagle 2 Mars Probe  (Read 1160 times)

Offline sam

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 19977
Simulations May Explain Loss of Beagle 2 Mars Probe
« on: December 19, 2008, 10:29 »
Quote
Researchers at Queensland University have used computer simulations to calculate that the loss of the US$80 million British Beagle 2 Mars probe was due to a bad choice of spin rate during atmospheric entry, resulting in the craft burning up within seconds. The chosen spin rate was calculated by using a bridging function to estimate the transitional forces between the upper and lower atmosphere, while the new research relies on simulation models. Beagle 2 team leader Professor Colin Pillinger has responded saying that the figures are far from conclusive, while another chief Beagle engineer has said 'We still think we got it right.'

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08%2F12%2F19%2F0210240&from=rss
Logged
- sam | @starrydude --

Offline Simon

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 77923
  • First to score 7/7 in Quiz of The Week's News 2017
Re: Simulations May Explain Loss of Beagle 2 Mars Probe
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2008, 11:37 »
So, that explains it!  ;)
Logged
Many thanks to all our members, who have made PC Pals such an outstanding success!   :thumb:

Offline Clive

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 75153
  • Won Quiz of the Year 2015,2016,2017, 2020, 2021
Re: Simulations May Explain Loss of Beagle 2 Mars Probe
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2008, 13:45 »
Colin Pillinger is a joke.  Sorry.   :(
Logged

Show unread posts since last visit.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Sponsor for PC Pals Forum