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[MetalSlimeHunt]

So I just found out that Curiosity's neutron source and detector was provided to the mission by none other than the Russian Federal Space Agency.

The significance of that really speaks for itself.

[Maxmurder]

This seems like a very dwarfy way to conduct science -- shoot first, analyze the charred remains later.

Now we just need to send a perpetual motion machine capable of spewing magma over the entire surface. FATW (Fuck all the worlds)

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Trajectory Correction Maneuver 5, which was intended to correct for errors accumulated in the trip from Earth to Mars, has been declared unnecessary and cancelled.

NASA shot a hunk of metal the size of an SUV half-way around the inner solar system to hit a target a few miles in diameter on another planet, and they got it right on the first try.

[Dutchling]

So I just found out that Curiosity's neutron source and detector was provided to the mission by none other than the Russian Federal Space Agency.

The significance of that really speaks for itself.

The signification doesn't seem to speak to me at all to be honest. Well, it says 'Russians are dwarfier than 'Merkins', but I doubt that is what you mean.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

So I just found out that Curiosity's neutron source and detector was provided to the mission by none other than the Russian Federal Space Agency.

The significance of that really speaks for itself.

The signification doesn't seem to speak to me at all to be honest. Well, it says 'Russians are dwarfier than 'Merkins', but I doubt that is what you mean.

The significance is that space agencies generally work together without concern, even if their parent nations are on bad terms. It is a continuation on the tendency for space exploration to present a problem that people discard nationalistic tendencies to work on. Even during the Cold War there was some cooperation between NASA and the Soviet space program.

[Guardian G.I.]

I wonder if the entire operation will proceed smoothly.

IIRC, missions to Mars are quite prone to failures: numerous spacecraft were lost to sudden and unexplained mechanical failures, or simply due to radio signal suddenly going offline.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

It isn't exactly a friendly environment.

[LordBucket]

This is one of their more ridiculous landings.

This seems needlessly complicated.

Put it the middle of a balloon via elastic cords. Inflate the balloon by scooping up air during entry. Let it bounce.

[MaximumZero]

This is one of their more ridiculous landings.

This seems needlessly complicated.

Put it the middle of a balloon via elastic cords. Inflate the balloon by scooping up air during entry. Let it bounce.

Not dwarfy enough. Also, posting to watch.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

This is one of their more ridiculous landings.

This seems needlessly complicated.

Put it the middle of a balloon via elastic cords. Inflate the balloon by scooping up air during entry. Let it bounce.

That's actually the exact landing sequence that was used for Spirit. Curiosity is too big.

[Karlito]

It's the size of a large automobile, if I remember correctly.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

There are now 50 hours remaining until Curiosity touches down.

[Mageziya]

May smores Mars have cave live! or something. Shame there is no complex surface life on Mars.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

There are now under 24 hours remaining until Curiosity touches down.

[Funburns]

Shame there is no complex surface life on Mars.

Unless that's actually some of the best news ever.

Or maybe it's not so bad? Personally, I'm not inclined to believe the fact that we haven't yet been conquered contacted by aliens is necessarily evidence that there's a consistent, massive selection event somewhere between prokaryotes and Protoss, much less that it's likely to be ahead of us.

That could just be my optimism, though. If Curiosity lands on a cat, all bets are off.