You bring up a good thought. Mars air is extremely dry. In such a case we have to consider electrostatic attraction as a factor. With no water to dissipate charge buildup on dust, like fine dust, it could tend to stick to surfaces. If so, then wouldn''t we see it on cameras lenses or their cover shields? Also, might it clog moving parts over time, impeding rover wheels? I don't know.
Yes, that's good to know, and you may have identified an important thing about Mars dust. It's ancient and probably finely ground over time. And if it's silica we are basically looking at powdered glass dust, which can hold a charge.
If there is some cool science going on like electrostatic adhesion, why isn't a agency devoted to science education not talking about it? You are not the only person to point out this idea of blowing the panels clean. Not explaining themselves makes them look incompetent and wasteful.
The last decade has been devastating to NASA competence. At JPL, people quit starting in Obama era after NASA forced Caltech (which runs JPL) to institute clearance checks higher than necessary. After that, they mandated covid shots or get fired. So people left. I see it as a drain of the smarter independent people. When I was there, there was an undercurrent of achiever-political mindset in management, leading to stupidity in some areas. Not all but enough. I don't know whether the Mars mission has dumb people on staff, probably not all but maybe some. I do know that Caltech hence JPL is undercut by political correctness now, and some equal opportunity hires, which is deadly for engineering and science. For instance, Caltech no longer requires SATs, which is leadign to less qualified student being admitted. If JPL HR is now more SJW, that will bring in stupid people.
"After that, they mandated covid shots or get fired. So people left. I see it as a drain of the smarter independent people. When I was there, there was an undercurrent of achiever-political mindset in management, leading to stupidity in some areas. Not all but enough"
"undercut by political correctness now, and some equal opportunity hires, which is deadly for engineering and science."
"HR is now more SJW, that will bring in stupid people."
You bring up a good thought. Mars air is extremely dry. In such a case we have to consider electrostatic attraction as a factor. With no water to dissipate charge buildup on dust, like fine dust, it could tend to stick to surfaces. If so, then wouldn''t we see it on cameras lenses or their cover shields? Also, might it clog moving parts over time, impeding rover wheels? I don't know.
I only bring it up, because I read somewhere that moon dust is not akin to beach sand in composition, but extremely fine.
Apropos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tLf1JO5bvE
Yes, that's good to know, and you may have identified an important thing about Mars dust. It's ancient and probably finely ground over time. And if it's silica we are basically looking at powdered glass dust, which can hold a charge.
Both cases are terrible for NASA's missions.
If there is some cool science going on like electrostatic adhesion, why isn't a agency devoted to science education not talking about it? You are not the only person to point out this idea of blowing the panels clean. Not explaining themselves makes them look incompetent and wasteful.
The last decade has been devastating to NASA competence. At JPL, people quit starting in Obama era after NASA forced Caltech (which runs JPL) to institute clearance checks higher than necessary. After that, they mandated covid shots or get fired. So people left. I see it as a drain of the smarter independent people. When I was there, there was an undercurrent of achiever-political mindset in management, leading to stupidity in some areas. Not all but enough. I don't know whether the Mars mission has dumb people on staff, probably not all but maybe some. I do know that Caltech hence JPL is undercut by political correctness now, and some equal opportunity hires, which is deadly for engineering and science. For instance, Caltech no longer requires SATs, which is leadign to less qualified student being admitted. If JPL HR is now more SJW, that will bring in stupid people.
Sounds like big pharma.
"After that, they mandated covid shots or get fired. So people left. I see it as a drain of the smarter independent people. When I was there, there was an undercurrent of achiever-political mindset in management, leading to stupidity in some areas. Not all but enough"
"undercut by political correctness now, and some equal opportunity hires, which is deadly for engineering and science."
"HR is now more SJW, that will bring in stupid people."