Ingenuity Delayed

 

A couple of months ago NASA’s Perseverance rover arrived on Mars. On the exploration vehicle was a small helicopter, the Ingenuity, intended to fly above the surface of the red planet and take photographs and other measurements. Ingenuity performed a rotor spin test this week, and an alert triggered by the craft’s on-board software has prompted NASA to delay the planned launch date for the tiny four-pound flying machine until sometime next week, or perhaps later.

I feel for the people who build these things. I write robotics and automation software, and I’m familiar with the stress accompanying every demonstration of a new automated system. I’m not a flashy programmer nor a particularly fast one, but I do write rock-solid software that does, in almost every instance, precisely what I intended it to do (though whether or not I understood the requirements correctly is another question). Even so, I’ve had my share of embarrassing failures during product demonstrations over four decades of software development, so much so that I never approach a software rollout without at least a little anxiety.

To NASA’s credit, their software quality standards and procedures are astoundingly mature. But Ingenuity is currently 15 light-minutes away from Earth: it will take off, fly about, take its pictures, and (we hope) land successfully all within a minute — and we won’t know what happened until a quarter of an hour later. Or perhaps never, depending on how it goes.

I made a decision many years ago not to write software for life-critical applications. I simply don’t want the stress. While many of the machines I program are capable of seriously injuring someone, I’ve always relied on the presence of hardware interlocks and physical barriers to prevent my software from crushing, cutting, or otherwise mangling an operator. The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm: it has a legitimately menacing aspect about it. But, again, hardware safety relays and multiple interlocks prevent anyone from getting close to the whirring knife while its motor is still powered and its arm still enabled.

I get to test my software and am often present when it’s put into production. The creators of the Ingenuity have undoubtedly tested to the best that NASA’s ample budget and their project time constraints allowed. But I will be very surprised if any of the developers sleep soundly the night before the machine flies — and I’m sure that, when it does, its programmers will experience the longest 15 minutes of their lives.

Here’s hoping to a continuation of a so-far successful mission.

Published in Technology
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  1. Gary McVey Contributor
    Gary McVey
    @GaryMcVey

    Great post, Henry. As a non-programmer, I appreciate the non-condescending way way you explained the multiple issues involved–if only all science and engineering reporters had that gift. Anyone could understand the human issues of hesitating to casually accept life and death responsibility, morally if not legally. 

    My amateur’s concern: stability, not lift. I’d bet it can get off the surface, but it’s very light and could (too?) easily tip over if it lands on even a small rock. 

    • #1
  2. Misthiocracy got drunk and Member
    Misthiocracy got drunk and
    @Misthiocracy

    Henry Racette: Ingenuity Delayed…

    …is ingenuity denied!

    • #2
  3. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    Ingenuity has a tiny scrap of the fabric from the wing of the Wright Brothers’ plane. One hundred and eighteen years – the a single beat of a hummingbird’s wing in the scale of things – from slipping the surly bonds at Kitty Hawk and droning around another planet. It’s remarkable. Humans are remarkable. 

     

    • #3
  4. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Great post, Henry. As a non-programmer, I appreciate the non-condescending way way you explained the multiple issues involved–if only all science and engineering reporters had that gift. Anyone could understand the human issues of hesitating to casually accept life and death responsibility, morally if not legally.

    My amateur’s concern: stability, not lift. I’d bet it can get off the surface, but it’s very light and could (too?) easily tip over if it lands on even a small rock.

    Mars has about 40% of Earth gravity, which makes flying easier, but a very thin atmosphere, which makes flying harder.  I haven’t read up on what differences it has compared to Earth-flying drones.  Maybe larger blades, and/or faster motors…  They would be able to test in thinner atmosphere, inside special chambers.  But there’s no way they could properly simulate 40% gravity.

    • #4
  5. Gary McVey Contributor
    Gary McVey
    @GaryMcVey

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Great post, Henry. As a non-programmer, I appreciate the non-condescending way way you explained the multiple issues involved–if only all science and engineering reporters had that gift. Anyone could understand the human issues of hesitating to casually accept life and death responsibility, morally if not legally.

    My amateur’s concern: stability, not lift. I’d bet it can get off the surface, but it’s very light and could (too?) easily tip over if it lands on even a small rock.

    Mars has about 40% of Earth gravity, which makes flying easier, but a very thin atmosphere, which makes flying harder. I haven’t read up on what differences it has compared to Earth-flying drones. Maybe larger blades, and/or faster motors… They would be able to test in thinner atmosphere, inside special chambers. But there’s no way they could properly simulate 40% gravity.

    Maybe with counterweighted tethers. Not perfect, but easy to do, and probably valid. After all, the thing ain’t going to be doing aerobatics. 

    • #5
  6. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Great post, Henry. As a non-programmer, I appreciate the non-condescending way way you explained the multiple issues involved–if only all science and engineering reporters had that gift. Anyone could understand the human issues of hesitating to casually accept life and death responsibility, morally if not legally.

    My amateur’s concern: stability, not lift. I’d bet it can get off the surface, but it’s very light and could (too?) easily tip over if it lands on even a small rock.

    Mars has about 40% of Earth gravity, which makes flying easier, but a very thin atmosphere, which makes flying harder. I haven’t read up on what differences it has compared to Earth-flying drones. Maybe larger blades, and/or faster motors… They would be able to test in thinner atmosphere, inside special chambers. But there’s no way they could properly simulate 40% gravity.

    How about on a depressurized Vomit Comet?

    • #6
  7. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Flicker (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Great post, Henry. As a non-programmer, I appreciate the non-condescending way way you explained the multiple issues involved–if only all science and engineering reporters had that gift. Anyone could understand the human issues of hesitating to casually accept life and death responsibility, morally if not legally.

    My amateur’s concern: stability, not lift. I’d bet it can get off the surface, but it’s very light and could (too?) easily tip over if it lands on even a small rock.

    Mars has about 40% of Earth gravity, which makes flying easier, but a very thin atmosphere, which makes flying harder. I haven’t read up on what differences it has compared to Earth-flying drones. Maybe larger blades, and/or faster motors… They would be able to test in thinner atmosphere, inside special chambers. But there’s no way they could properly simulate 40% gravity.

    How about on a depressurized Vomit Comet?

    That effect only lasts about 30 seconds, doesn’t seem like that would be very useful in this situation.

    • #7
  8. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    • #8
  9. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger.  They demonstrated it with a hot dog.  Nor even a scratch.  It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog.  How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    • #9
  10. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

     

    • #10
  11. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Never watched it. Now I’m glad I never did. (Hmmm. Clip from Big Bang Theory didn’t copy into my reply).

    • #11
  12. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Never watched it. Now I’m glad I never did. (Hmmm. Clip from Big Bang Theory didn’t copy into my reply).

    Oh there’s way more than that.  It was a fine show.  And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous.  (That’s why I first started watching it, she was so good in the last season of Charmed.)

     

    • #12
  13. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Flicker (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger. They demonstrated it with a hot dog. Nor even a scratch. It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog. How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    I saw that also. It’s called SawStop. It charges the blade with a low voltage. When it detects a voltage drain — as, for example, from a finger (or hot dog) touching the blade — it uses a higher voltage to melt a thin wire, which releases an aluminum block that is driven by a spring into the spinning blade. The blade bites into the aluminum block, stopping almost instantly; the energy dissipated in the action causes the blade assembly to cantilever down into the table, away from whatever touched it.

    The whole thing happens in about 1/20th [correction:] 1/200th of a second. I’m skeptical that it’s practical, since some of the things one cuts on a table saw might as readily trigger the safety feature, and it’s destructive of the blade and various components of the system. I think a simple blade guard might be more practical.

    Then again, I’m a Luddite.

    • #13
  14. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger. They demonstrated it with a hot dog. Nor even a scratch. It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog. How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    I saw that also. It’s called SawStop. It charges the blade with a low voltage. When it detects a voltage drain — as, for example, from a finger (or hot dog) touching the blade — it uses a higher voltage to melt a thin wire, which releases an aluminum block that is driven by a spring into the spinning blade. The blade bites into the aluminum block, stopping almost instantly; the energy dissipated in the action causes the blade assembly to cantilever down into the table, away from whatever touched it.

    The whole thing happens in about 1/20th of a second. I’m skeptical that it’s practical, since some of the things one cuts on a table saw might as readily trigger the safety feature, and it’s destructive of the blade and various components of the system. I think a simple blade guard might be more practical.

    Then again, I’m a Luddite.

    In wood shop in Jr High School, I used table saws and lathes at age 13 or so.  And I still have all my fingers.  Do kids get to do that now?

    • #14
  15. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger. They demonstrated it with a hot dog. Nor even a scratch. It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog. How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    I saw that also. It’s called SawStop. It charges the blade with a low voltage. When it detects a voltage drain — as, for example, from a finger (or hot dog) touching the blade — it uses a higher voltage to melt a thin wire, which releases an aluminum block that is driven by a spring into the spinning blade. The blade bites into the aluminum block, stopping almost instantly; the energy dissipated in the action causes the blade assembly to cantilever down into the table, away from whatever touched it.

    The whole thing happens in about 1/20th of a second. I’m skeptical that it’s practical, since some of the things one cuts on a table saw might as readily trigger the safety feature, and it’s destructive of the blade and various components of the system. I think a simple blade guard might be more practical.

    Then again, I’m a Luddite.

    In wood shop in Jr High School, I used table saws and lathes at age 13 or so. And I still have all my fingers. Do kids get to do that now?

    I’d be surprised. I remember a kid lost a couple of fingertips in shop class when I was in high school. (I didn’t see it, but everyone talked about it.) We live in a safety-obsessed, emasculated, feminized culture now: there probably aren’t many table saws in high schools today.

    • #15
  16. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    kedavis (View Comment):
    Oh there’s way more than that.  It was a fine show.  And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous.  (That’s why I first started watching it, she was so good in the last season of Charmed.)

    And you criticize people who watch sports?!!!

    • #16
  17. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger. They demonstrated it with a hot dog. Nor even a scratch. It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog. How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    I saw that also. It’s called SawStop. It charges the blade with a low voltage. When it detects a voltage drain — as, for example, from a finger (or hot dog) touching the blade — it uses a higher voltage to melt a thin wire, which releases an aluminum block that is driven by a spring into the spinning blade. The blade bites into the aluminum block, stopping almost instantly; the energy dissipated in the action causes the blade assembly to cantilever down into the table, away from whatever touched it.

    The whole thing happens in about 1/20th of a second. I’m skeptical that it’s practical, since some of the things one cuts on a table saw might as readily trigger the safety feature, and it’s destructive of the blade and various components of the system. I think a simple blade guard might be more practical.

    Then again, I’m a Luddite.

    In wood shop in Jr High School, I used table saws and lathes at age 13 or so. And I still have all my fingers. Do kids get to do that now?

    I’d be surprised. I remember a kid lost a couple of fingertips in shop class when I was in high school. (I didn’t see it, but everyone talked about it.) We live in a safety-obsessed, emasculated, feminized culture now: there probably aren’t many table saws in high schools today.

    None of that when I was in school.  But they stopped doing blood-typing in science class shortly after my years, seems like each year  a couple kids found out they were adopted.

    • #17
  18. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):
    Oh there’s way more than that. It was a fine show. And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous. (That’s why I first started watching it, she was so good in the last season of Charmed.)

    And you criticize people who watch sports?!!!

    Sports are funny?  I never heard that claim before.

     

    • #18
  19. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):
    Oh there’s way more than that. It was a fine show. And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous. (That’s why I first started watching it, she was so good in the last season of Charmed.)

    And you criticize people who watch sports?!!!

    Sports are funny? I never heard that claim before.

    You think people who watch sports are crazy. I think all modern comedy on American TV is stupid.

    • #19
  20. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger. They demonstrated it with a hot dog. Nor even a scratch. It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog. How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    I saw that also. It’s called SawStop. It charges the blade with a low voltage. When it detects a voltage drain — as, for example, from a finger (or hot dog) touching the blade — it uses a higher voltage to melt a thin wire, which releases an aluminum block that is driven by a spring into the spinning blade. The blade bites into the aluminum block, stopping almost instantly; the energy dissipated in the action causes the blade assembly to cantilever down into the table, away from whatever touched it.

    The whole thing happens in about 1/20th of a second. I’m skeptical that it’s practical, since some of the things one cuts on a table saw might as readily trigger the safety feature, and it’s destructive of the blade and various components of the system. I think a simple blade guard might be more practical.

    Then again, I’m a Luddite.

    I wondered if it destroyed itself after a few stops.  I guess it only destroys the blade, and I’m sure the filament wire could be replaced.  Did they stop selling it, do you know?

    • #20
  21. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger. They demonstrated it with a hot dog. Nor even a scratch. It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog. How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    I saw that also. It’s called SawStop. It charges the blade with a low voltage. When it detects a voltage drain — as, for example, from a finger (or hot dog) touching the blade — it uses a higher voltage to melt a thin wire, which releases an aluminum block that is driven by a spring into the spinning blade. The blade bites into the aluminum block, stopping almost instantly; the energy dissipated in the action causes the blade assembly to cantilever down into the table, away from whatever touched it.

    The whole thing happens in about 1/20th of a second. I’m skeptical that it’s practical, since some of the things one cuts on a table saw might as readily trigger the safety feature, and it’s destructive of the blade and various components of the system. I think a simple blade guard might be more practical.

    Then again, I’m a Luddite.

    In wood shop in Jr High School, I used table saws and lathes at age 13 or so. And I still have all my fingers. Do kids get to do that now?

    I’d be surprised. I remember a kid lost a couple of fingertips in shop class when I was in high school. (I didn’t see it, but everyone talked about it.) We live in a safety-obsessed, emasculated, feminized culture now: there probably aren’t many table saws in high schools today.

    Whenever I’m using cutting tools, I remember my old shop teacher.  Introducing himself, he said I’m been working with power tools for sixty years, and — he held up his hands — count my fingers, all six of them.  Uh, I mean ten of them.

    I don’t know why that stays in my mind.  Maybe his misstatement added more emphasis.

    • #21
  22. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: The most recent machine for which I provided both software and electronics actually features a circular razorblade spinning at 5,000 RPM attached to the end of a pneumatically operated arm

    Ack!!!

    Several years ago I saw a table saw that wouldn’t cut off a human finger. They demonstrated it with a hot dog. Nor even a scratch. It had to do with the blade picking up and electric charge from the finger or hot dog. How they got it to stop in a split second I don’t know.

    I saw that also. It’s called SawStop. It charges the blade with a low voltage. When it detects a voltage drain — as, for example, from a finger (or hot dog) touching the blade — it uses a higher voltage to melt a thin wire, which releases an aluminum block that is driven by a spring into the spinning blade. The blade bites into the aluminum block, stopping almost instantly; the energy dissipated in the action causes the blade assembly to cantilever down into the table, away from whatever touched it.

    The whole thing happens in about 1/20th of a second. I’m skeptical that it’s practical, since some of the things one cuts on a table saw might as readily trigger the safety feature, and it’s destructive of the blade and various components of the system. I think a simple blade guard might be more practical.

    Then again, I’m a Luddite.

    In wood shop in Jr High School, I used table saws and lathes at age 13 or so. And I still have all my fingers. Do kids get to do that now?

    I’d be surprised. I remember a kid lost a couple of fingertips in shop class when I was in high school. (I didn’t see it, but everyone talked about it.) We live in a safety-obsessed, emasculated, feminized culture now: there probably aren’t many table saws in high schools today.

    Whenever I’m using cutting tools, I remember my old shop teacher. Introducing himself, he said I’m been working with power tools for sixty years, and — he held up his hands — count my fingers, all six of them. Uh, I mean ten of them.

    I don’t know why that stays in my mind. Maybe his misstatement added more emphasis.

    My late grandfather was missing a few fingers, but equipment was much safer even by the time I got to Jr High.  What I remember most about the wood shop teacher was that his thumbs were both bent way back, like someone can do if they’re double-jointed, apparently from pressing down on wood most of his life.

    Apparently meat-cutting is even more risky, because of the cold which makes it difficult to feel even while the saw is cutting your hand.

    • #22
  23. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):
    Oh there’s way more than that. It was a fine show. And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous. (That’s why I first started watching it, she was so good in the last season of Charmed.)

    And you criticize people who watch sports?!!!

    Sports are funny? I never heard that claim before.

    You think people who watch sports are crazy. I think all modern comedy on American TV is stupid.

    I think the REASONS most people watch sports, are crazy.  I can theoretically imagine a non-crazy reason why someone might watch them – especially if it’s their job for some reason, like recruiters etc – but for most people it’s some kind of “when ‘my’ team wins, that’s a reflection on ME/the city where I currently live/the school I went to/etc” which is nonsense.

    On the other hand, not all TV comedy, not even all American TV comedy, is the same.

    • #23
  24. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):
    Oh there’s way more than that. It was a fine show. And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous. (That’s why I first started watching it, she was so good in the last season of Charmed.)

    And you criticize people who watch sports?!!!

    Sports are funny? I never heard that claim before.

    You think people who watch sports are crazy. I think all modern comedy on American TV is stupid.

    I think the REASONS most people watch sports, are crazy. I can theoretically imagine a non-crazy reason why someone might watch them – especially if it’s their job for some reason, like recruiters etc – but for most people it’s some kind of “when ‘my’ team wins, that’s a reflection on ME/the city where I currently live/the school I went to/etc” which is nonsense.

    On the other hand, not all TV comedy, not even all American TV comedy, is the same.

    I once did a newspaper cryptogram and the quote was: What kind of people watch golf on TV?  Landscapers, I guess.

    • #24
  25. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Flicker (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):
    Oh there’s way more than that. It was a fine show. And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous. (That’s why I first started watching it, she was so good in the last season of Charmed.)

    And you criticize people who watch sports?!!!

    Sports are funny? I never heard that claim before.

    You think people who watch sports are crazy. I think all modern comedy on American TV is stupid.

    I think the REASONS most people watch sports, are crazy. I can theoretically imagine a non-crazy reason why someone might watch them – especially if it’s their job for some reason, like recruiters etc – but for most people it’s some kind of “when ‘my’ team wins, that’s a reflection on ME/the city where I currently live/the school I went to/etc” which is nonsense.

    On the other hand, not all TV comedy, not even all American TV comedy, is the same.

    I once did a newspaper cryptogram and the quote was: What kind of people watch golf on TV? Landscapers, I guess.

    Well at least I don’t remember ever hearing anyone say that they followed some golfer because they went to the same school or whatever.  Does anyone think that when, say, Arnold Palmer won, it meant that some city or state is great?

    • #25
  26. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Great post, Henry. As a non-programmer, I appreciate the non-condescending way way you explained the multiple issues involved–if only all science and engineering reporters had that gift. Anyone could understand the human issues of hesitating to casually accept life and death responsibility, morally if not legally.

    My amateur’s concern: stability, not lift. I’d bet it can get off the surface, but it’s very light and could (too?) easily tip over if it lands on even a small rock.

    Mars has about 40% of Earth gravity, which makes flying easier, but a very thin atmosphere, which makes flying harder. I haven’t read up on what differences it has compared to Earth-flying drones. Maybe larger blades, and/or faster motors… They would be able to test in thinner atmosphere, inside special chambers. But there’s no way they could properly simulate 40% gravity.

    I wondered about that, too.  I would think the blades would have to have a much greater surface area than a unit operating in Earth’s atmosphere.

    • #26
  27. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    Flicker (View Comment):
    I wondered if it destroyed itself after a few stops.  I guess it only destroys the blade, and I’m sure the filament wire could be replaced.  Did they stop selling it, do you know?

    Not only still available, but pretty much mandatory in maker spaces that have table saws.  (If they want insurance.)  Any member who triggers it, pays a “fine” for the replacement cartridge.  One use destroys the rather expensive insert.

    And yes, they really do work.

    • #27
  28. Misthiocracy got drunk and Member
    Misthiocracy got drunk and
    @Misthiocracy

    kedavis (View Comment):
    And Kaley Cuoco was – and still is – gorgeous. 

    Meh.

    • #28
  29. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):
    I wondered if it destroyed itself after a few stops. I guess it only destroys the blade, and I’m sure the filament wire could be replaced. Did they stop selling it, do you know?

    Not only still available, but pretty much mandatory in maker spaces that have table saws. (If they want insurance.) Any member who triggers it, pays a “fine” for the replacement cartridge. One use destroys the rather expensive insert.

    And yes, they really do work.

    Interesting. I knew they were still available, but didn’t know that people used them. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a saw so equipped.

    (Incidentally, I was mistaken above: the claimed response time is 1/200th of a second — 5ms. I remembered it being much slower than it actually is.)

    • #29
  30. Misthiocracy got drunk and Member
    Misthiocracy got drunk and
    @Misthiocracy

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    Great post, Henry. As a non-programmer, I appreciate the non-condescending way way you explained the multiple issues involved–if only all science and engineering reporters had that gift. Anyone could understand the human issues of hesitating to casually accept life and death responsibility, morally if not legally.

    My amateur’s concern: stability, not lift. I’d bet it can get off the surface, but it’s very light and could (too?) easily tip over if it lands on even a small rock.

    Mars has about 40% of Earth gravity, which makes flying easier, but a very thin atmosphere, which makes flying harder. I haven’t read up on what differences it has compared to Earth-flying drones. Maybe larger blades, and/or faster motors… They would be able to test in thinner atmosphere, inside special chambers. But there’s no way they could properly simulate 40% gravity.

    I wondered about that, too. I would think the blades would have to have a much greater surface area than a unit operating in Earth’s atmosphere.

    Or they spin at a higher RPM.

    • #30
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