[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 1 - 09:31:44 ]
Hello! Today's Mars Millenium QuestChat with Guy Beutelschies will begin at 10:30 am, Pacific. Guy is standing by and is ready to answer all of your questions! Be sure you have read Guy's updated bio at-- http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/sso/team/beutelschies.html

[ Apryl-AprylMcQuiston/BogleJuniorHigh - 2 - 09:32:11 ]
Mr. Beutelschies, What is the best part about working on this project?
[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 7 - 09:35:53 ]
The project I am working on currently is called Mars Surveyor Program 2001. It is sending an orbiter and lander to Mars and is launching in (you guessed it) 2001. The best part about working on this is the feeling that we are exploring new territory and finding new things that no one has ever seen before.

[ Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary - 4 - 09:34:45 ]
What's next after Mars?!
[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 9 - 09:38:24 ]
Brian, our projects are part of a long term strategy to explore Mars. We are currently sending missions to take data. The next series of missions will return actual samples like rocks and soil back to Earth. We would eventually like to send people to Mars.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 5 - 09:35:08 ]
RE: [Apryl-AprylMcQuiston/BogleJuniorHigh] Mr. Beutelschies, What is the best part about working on this project?
Hi Apryl! Glad you could join us today :-) Guy will answer your question in just a few minutes... Where is Bogle Junior High?

[ Martha-Martha - 6 - 09:35:25 ]
How long it will take to get to Mars?
[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 8 - 09:36:57 ]
It takes about 7 to 9 months for a lander to go to Mars. It takes longer for an orbiter because we have to arrive at a slower velocity so we can go into orbit. An orbiter would take a year or more.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 14 - 09:42:02 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] what would you rather be an astronaut or do the job you have now
I would much rather have my job rather than be an astronaut. I can sit at my computer and explore Mars, and then go home to my family for dinner. An astronaut would need to spend years to go to Mars and back.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 16 - 09:43:09 ]
RE: [Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary] When will people go to Mars?
It will take quite a while for people to go to Mars. It is very expensive because you have to take air, food, and water. Things which our robot explorers don't need! It will probably be 20 years or so before we send people.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 17 - 09:44:33 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] how long did it take to build the pathfinder???
We spent about 3 years from the time that NASA gave us the go ahead to start building up to launch. About half of that was spent designing it, and the other half building and testing it.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 18 - 09:45:57 ]
RE: [Rich-Mr.VanRiper/DeerValleyMiddleSchool] What are some of the new technologies being used for this mission ?
The 2001 mission will use an advanced Lithium Ion battery as well as a new type of light weight solar array that will unfold like a Japanese fan.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 22 - 09:48:28 ]
RE: [Michael-Michael/StarClass] Do you think that the 2001 mission will be as popular as Pathfinder?
Its hard to say. We were quite surprised how many people were interested in Mars Pathfinder. It was also the first time we had been to Mars since the 70's (with the Viking mission). I think there will be a lot of interest in the 2001 project because we are going to a different place on Mars, we are carrying a lot more science instruments, and we are taking Sojourner's sister rover, whose name is Marie Curie.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 24 - 09:49:31 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] This new project, The scooping of the surface of Mars by one of the aarmas of the land robot. Would we actually get these samples back to earth?
Our current plans call for sending missions to collect samples in 2003 and 2005. We would then bring back the samples by 2007.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 27 - 09:51:36 ]
RE: [Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary] Will you send animals to Mars?
In the old days we used to send animals into space before people because we didn't know what the environment was like. Now, thanks to sending animals and people up in the space shuttle, we know a lot about what space does to humans. So we don't think we need to send animals to Mars before sending people.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 29 - 09:52:52 ]
RE: [Rich-Mr.VanRiper/DeerValleyMiddleSchool] How many people are working on this project ? The core team.
On the 2001 project, there are about 150 people working on the core team. There are many more around the country working on pieces of it (like computer boards and science instruments) that will be sent here to be integrated.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 30 - 09:54:08 ]
RE: [Michael-Michael/StarClass] What exactly do you mean Sojourner's sister rover? Was it built at the same time or just based on the same designs
Marie Curie was the spare rover that we built for Pathfinder. It was built and tested at the same time as Sojourner and is the identical design. We are refurbishing it for our new mission.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 32 - 09:55:50 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] What makes Mars looks red?
Mars looks red because it is rusting! There is iron in the soil and rocks on Mars. Chemical reactions with the atmosphere cause the iron to oxidize, which is what happens to here on Earth when metals rust.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 35 - 09:57:19 ]
RE: [Rich-Mr.VanRiper/DeerValleyMiddleSchool] What do you consider to be the top 3 major technical risks for this project ?
The top 3 technical risks are the new technology battery, a new lightweight design star tracker, and getting all 11 science instrument delivered on time.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 36 - 09:57:30 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] Is it true that there are plans to land a man on Mars by the year 2019?
Guy already answered this in #16.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 37 - 09:59:09 ]
RE: [Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary] what would you do if you found fossils in the samples brought back to Earth?
If we found fossils, we would throw a really big party! One of the big questions we are trying to answer is whether life once existed on Mars. We are therefore trying to bring back rocks that could help us answer that.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 39 - 10:01:24 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] Could you name the names given to the rocks from Mars that were named in the pathfinder mission? They were cartoon names. I want to remember their namesans keep them in my notes
Some of the names we gave the rocks were Yogi Bear, Scooby Doo, Lamb, the Matterhorn, the rock garden, shark, Calvin, Hobbes, Half dome, Bamm-Bamm, Pooh Bear, Souffle, and Barnacle Bill. We named dozens and dozens of rocks.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 41 - 10:03:13 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] What difficulties might humans encounter on the long trip to Mars?
Some of the problems are the logistics of taking enough food, air, and water. We would also have to protect them from the radiation of interplanetary space as well as keep them in shape from living in a weightless environment.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 46 - 10:07:13 ]
RE: [Sandy/NASAChatHost] Question from Michelle Mock, Montessori School, Corona, CA: Why is it so important to analyze the compostion of rocks? Are geologists the primary scientists in the exploration of Mars?
We analyze the rocks because they can tell us how what the environment was like when they were formed. We have already determined that Mars used to have a lot of water in the distant past. Whole lakes and oceans! There are other scientists involved in our projects like Meteorologist to study the weather, and physicists to study radiation. If (or when) we find evidence of life, then I'm sure we'll get a lot of biologists and paleontologists working with us.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 47 - 10:10:07 ]
RE: [Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary] If it is found that you can make rocket fuel in Mars, how would you go about making it there?
One of the experiments on the Mars 2001 mission is an experiment in making rocket fuel. It takes the Carbon Dioxide in the Martian atmosphere, and extracts the oxygen which is used in rocket fuel. It would take months to make enough for a trip back to Earth, but the plan is to send fuel making missions a couple of years before we send people, so the astronauts would have fuel waiting for them when they get to Mars.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 50 - 10:12:05 ]
RE: [Rich-Mr.VanRiper/DeerValleyMiddleSchool] Is space radiation a major concern for missions to Mars ? Both robot and human. If so, what is done for protection ?
Radiation is a concern on Mars because it does not have a Van Allen belt protecting it like the Earth does. The Mars 2001 mission is taking a radiation monitor to determine how much radiation is present. The way you protect against radiation is with lead shielding.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 51 - 10:13:35 ]
EVERYONE: There are only about 15 minutes left in today's chat with Guy...

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 52 - 10:13:50 ]
RE: [Michael-Michael/StarClass] Why do we need to send the rocket fuel experiment to Mars to test it? Can't we do the test here on Earth?
Good question! We have been testing this on Earth, but we don't really know exactly what the Martian atmospere is made out of. We know it is mostly Carbon Dioxide, but there are other trace gases that may interfere with the fuel making process. It is therefore important to do an actual test on Mars before we count on it for future missions.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 55 - 10:15:51 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] Are there any mars samples available for teachers and students to see like the lunar samples that many teachers use in their classrooms?
The only samples of Mars that we have here on Earth are meteorites that were once part of the surface of Mars, but were ejected into space and have since landed on the Earth. Our sample return mission will bring back very small samples but I'm sure everyone will get a chance to see pictures of them on the Internet.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 56 - 10:17:17 ]
RE: [Sandy/NASAChatHost] From Michelle Mock, Montessori School, Corona, CA: Are you a JPL employee or a contractor? Is your assignment at Lockheed in Denver only for the duration of this project? Once the spacecrafts are ready for launch, is your work on the project done? How does your involvement change once the spacecrafts are on their way to Mars.
I am a JPL employee who is working with Lockheed Martin for the duration of the mission. My wife and I have moved out here to Denver and will stay through the launch. After that, I may start working in operations, or start working on another project (maybe the Mars Sample Return project).

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 57 - 10:17:25 ]
EVERYONE: When today's chat is over, please let us know what you think about the WebChats we bring to you by filling out a short survey at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/chat-surveys Thank you :-)

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 60 - 10:18:45 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] How many hours a week do you work?
I usually work 40 hours a week. It sometimes gets real busy around major tests or hardware deliveries, so then we work a lot of nights and weekends.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 61 - 10:19:38 ]
RE: [Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary] So, the fuel will be made by machines only on Mars?
We will test them both in special test chambers here on Earth as well as on missions like Mars 2001.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 62 - 10:20:37 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] Are Mars moons oxidating like Mars?
The moons of Mars (called Phobos and Deimos) do not have atmsopheres. Therefore, there is no Oxygen to react with the rocks and soils.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 64 - 10:21:36 ]
EVERYONE: 5 MINUTES LEFT...

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 66 - 10:24:11 ]
RE: [Michael-Michael/StarClass] What stage of development is the 2001 mission currently at? Has there been any major problems that you have needed to address so far?
We have finished the design phase and are currently building all of the pieces. We will start assembling the lander in November, and the orbiter in January. We have had to solve a lot of problems, but that is what engineers do; we look for and solve problems. One of the big problems we had was how to take the Mars 98 design, which carries about 20 kg of instruments, and make it carry over 50 kg of instruments.

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 70 - 10:27:16 ]
RE: [Rich-Mr.VanRiper/DeerValleyMiddleSchool] Is there a web page where your project is posted ?
You can find information on this project and other JPL projects at www.jpl.nasa.gov

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 71 - 10:27:18 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] This is my first time in a chat of this nature. Is there any way for me to print or receive a copy of it?
MARTHA: This chat will be archived by the end of the week. You can find it at the very end of Guy's bio and you can find it in the chat archives off of http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/sso/chats

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 72 - 10:28:38 ]
RE: [Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary] Martha-Martha: I can help with that -Highlight what you want, copy it and then paste it in your word processing application.
THANKS BRIAN! That is a great way to get an immediate copy of this chat :-)

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 73 - 10:28:52 ]
RE: [Martha-Martha] How can I calculate how old would I be in Mars , knowing that a martian year is 1.8 Earth-years?
Just take your age, and divide it by 1.8. I would be 19 on Mars.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 74 - 10:30:43 ]
EVERYONE: It's time for Guy to get back to his real work of the day! Thanks to all of you for your great questions! Please fill out the short survey mentioned above and be sure to join us again on July 30 for Rob Manning, former chief engineer of the Mars Pathfinder (and friend of Guy!)

[ GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001 - 75 - 10:31:42 ]
Thanks, nice talking to you all!

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 76 - 10:32:06 ]
RE: [GuyBeutelschies/Mars2001] Just take your age, and divide it by 1.8. I would be 19 on Mars.
Great question Martha :-)

[ Brian-Mrs.Rhoads/EastshoreElementary - 77 - 10:32:17 ]
I'm confused. I had multiplied my age times 1.8

[ Martha-Martha - 79 - 10:37:21 ]
No Brian, cannot be. Because Mars orbit is longer so, you have to be younger when it takes you longer to celebrate your birthday.