Brower Propulsion Laboratory



BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana Download a printable high resolution version of the promotional BPL-003 MMM Poster
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
Download a printable high resolution version of the promotional BPL-003 MMM Poster
Panorama composed of 240 individual images taken by MUNIN camera via script on 12 February, 2010. The image depicts the Esther Klein Art Gallery in Philadelphia where BPL equipment is being exhibited from 22 January, 2010 through 21 March 2010. The extremely slow pace of the camera allows aliens and celebrities get out of the way before being examined. During the mission, visitors to the website will be able to instruct MUNIN to make pictures like these and save them to the archive. Currently the camera is accessible and visitors are invited to drive it and save images.
Panorama composed of 240 individual images taken by MUNIN camera via script on 12 February, 2010. The image depicts the Esther Klein Art Gallery in Philadelphia where BPL equipment is being exhibited from 22 January, 2010 through 21 March 2010. The extremely slow pace of the camera allows aliens and celebrities get out of the way before being examined. During the mission, visitors to the website will be able to instruct MUNIN to make pictures like these and save them to the archive. Currently the camera is accessible and visitors are invited to drive it and save images.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana Development of camera mast gimbal for MUNIN spacecraft. Note caffeine MSDS and molecular model in background.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
Development of camera mast gimbal for MUNIN spacecraft. Note caffeine MSDS and molecular model in background.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana ICARUS (Intentionally Cheap Airborne Reusable Utility System) hardware with BPL-001 mission artifacts. The systems will be updated for this application and will include new radio and beacon functionality, as well as an environmental data logger and better crappy cameras.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
ICARUS (Intentionally Cheap Airborne Reusable Utility System) hardware with BPL-001 mission artifacts. The systems will be updated for this application and will include new radio and beacon functionality, as well as an environmental data logger and better crappy cameras.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana LIMPER (Limited Intelligence Marginally Produced Exploration Rover) breadboard stage prototype. The vehicle is scheduled for overhaul and replacement of nearly every element, due to myriad engineering and general intellectual defects. New systems being developed include power, navigation, suspension, communications, and style.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
LIMPER (Limited Intelligence Marginally Produced Exploration Rover) breadboard stage prototype. The vehicle is scheduled for overhaul and replacement of nearly every element, due to myriad engineering and general intellectual defects. New systems being developed include power, navigation, suspension, communications, and style.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana Current Mission Mascot depicting cute pest rodent with trenching and collection device.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
Current Mission Mascot depicting cute pest rodent with trenching and collection device.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana Early production artwork depicting MUNIN (Module for Unmanned Novel Investigation and Notation) spacecraft and equipment.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
Early production artwork depicting MUNIN (Module for Unmanned Novel Investigation and Notation) spacecraft and equipment.
MUNIN general arrangement as of December 2009.
MUNIN general arrangement as of December 2009.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana Production photo from BPL Welding and Heating-UP facility showing MUNIN landing gear in production.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
Production photo from BPL Welding and Heating-UP facility showing MUNIN landing gear in production.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana BPL testing photo showing MUNIN Collector Head during rejection and redesign phase.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
BPL testing photo showing MUNIN Collector Head during rejection and redesign phase.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana Current condition (2008) of MUNIN Lander body and vehicle dolly. Welded and riveted aluminum shell will serve as a platform for science experiments and as a garage for LIMPER rover. The ICARUS balloon will be launched from the deck by remote control.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana
Current condition (2008) of MUNIN Lander body and vehicle dolly. Welded and riveted aluminum shell will serve as a platform for science experiments and as a garage for LIMPER rover. The ICARUS balloon will be launched from the deck by remote control.
MUNIN Lander at Pre Launch Operations Test and Bake Sale, Parker's Box, Brooklyn, NY, 2009.
MUNIN Lander at Pre Launch Operations Test and Bake Sale, Parker's Box, Brooklyn, NY, 2009.
MUNIN Lander with deck panels removed during testing at BPL Brooklyn Navy Yard facility, 2009.
MUNIN Lander with deck panels removed during testing at BPL Brooklyn Navy Yard facility, 2009.
Deck of MUNIN Lander during camera testing, 2009
Deck of MUNIN Lander during camera testing, 2009
MUNIN at BPL, Brooklyn Navy Yard, 2009.
MUNIN at BPL, Brooklyn Navy Yard, 2009.
MUNIN at Brooklyn Navy Yard, 2009, undergoing tests.
MUNIN at Brooklyn Navy Yard, 2009, undergoing tests.
MUNIN at Brooklyn Navy Yard, 2009.
MUNIN at Brooklyn Navy Yard, 2009.
BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana Download a printable high resolution version of the promotional BPL-003 MMM Poster

BPL-003 MMM Moranic Mission to Montana

BPL's third space exploration mission will launch in late August, 2009, hopefully. This project will retrace the path of an expedition that included the painter Thomas Moran to the Yellowstone region in 1871, only this time with three separate robotic spacecraft. Mission objectives include a continuation of BPL's search for life on Earth, the examination of this active volcanic region for a solution to America's Dependence On Foreign Oil, and photographic analysis of the area for determination of recommended tourist behaviors. Given that the Panic of 1873 and the creation of the National Park system were both directly affected by an artist's actions, BPL thought in this economic climate that a return to the region may well be instructive, especially when you consider how much camping is going to get done this year.
Mission elements and hardware are being developed and tested, and a public outreach program is being created to give citizenry the 'opportunity' to participate in the project.

Click here to read more about LIMPER

Click here to see the GEMS (Good Enough Mast System) development page:
GEMS

or here for the BPL-003 Press Kit in PDF format:
003 Press Kit

or here for a printable high resolution version of the promotional BPL-003 MMM Poster



BPL home