Comments on: NASA to Develop Dust-Grabbing Tractor Beams for Future Missions http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/11/02/nasa-to-develop-dust-grabbing-tractor-beams-for-future-missions/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Veronique Greenwood http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/11/02/nasa-to-develop-dust-grabbing-tractor-beams-for-future-missions/#comment-30197 Veronique Greenwood Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:45:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=33094#comment-30197 @Bob, I believe that Spirit and Opportunity do have drills they used for sampling dust. They're technically known as rock abrasion tools (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Abrasion_Tool). Here's some coverage of their exploits: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4216413/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/martian-first-rover-drills-rock/#.TrgJU3HO-A8 http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/01/spirit-stops-roving-mars-as-opportunity-takes-time-to-drill.ars @Bob, I believe that Spirit and Opportunity do have drills they used for sampling dust. They’re technically known as rock abrasion tools (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Abrasion_Tool).

Here’s some coverage of their exploits: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4216413/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/martian-first-rover-drills-rock/#.TrgJU3HO-A8 http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/01/spirit-stops-roving-mars-as-opportunity-takes-time-to-drill.ars

]]> By: Bob K. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/11/02/nasa-to-develop-dust-grabbing-tractor-beams-for-future-missions/#comment-30196 Bob K. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:30:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=33094#comment-30196 It's misleading to say "without resorting to using a drill, as the Mars rovers have". Some readers will take that to mean that Spirit and Opportunity have drills, because the past tense and the definite article imply that (although Opportunity is still present-tense). Curiosity, which is currently in Florida being prepared for launch, will be the first to use a drill, if all goes well. It’s misleading to say “without resorting to using a drill, as the Mars rovers have”. Some readers will take that to mean that Spirit and Opportunity have drills, because the past tense and the definite article imply that (although Opportunity is still present-tense). Curiosity, which is currently in Florida being prepared for launch, will be the first to use a drill, if all goes well.

]]> By: John Kwok http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/11/02/nasa-to-develop-dust-grabbing-tractor-beams-for-future-missions/#comment-30195 John Kwok Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:24:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=33094#comment-30195 Of course, fans of a certain well-known science fiction television and film franchise have been alerted too: http://www.trektoday.com/content/2011/11/nasa-attempting-to-develop-tractor-beam/ Engage! Of course, fans of a certain well-known science fiction television and film franchise have been alerted too:

http://www.trektoday.com/content/2011/11/nasa-attempting-to-develop-tractor-beam/

Engage!

]]> By: Christopher C. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/11/02/nasa-to-develop-dust-grabbing-tractor-beams-for-future-missions/#comment-30194 Christopher C. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:43:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=33094#comment-30194 Incorporate these tractor beams on vehicles for particles that would scratch sensitive glass and outside surfaces like micro meteors. Self cleaning solar power arrays, anyone? Incorporate these tractor beams on vehicles for particles that would scratch sensitive glass and outside surfaces like micro meteors. Self cleaning solar power arrays, anyone?

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