When Rocket Scientists Go Sailing in Southern California

Aug 18 2010

When Rocket Scientists Go Sailing in Southern California

Published by Capt. Dan at 12:38 under Capt. Dan,navigation,Sailing

Mars: Waypoint Wiley

Two rocket scientists joined us aboard Wiley for a brief trip last week. Even though they lead a very glamorous life in a very high tech world, spelled JPL, they enjoyed slowing down to 5 knots or so to enjoy a gorgeous day on the SoCal coast.

They had such a good time, that when they got back to work they named a Martian Waypoint for our terrestrial vessel.

“We create waypoints in the software tools used to plan the (Mars Rover “Opportunity”) drives (much easier to remember than the XYZ coordinates the rover understands) and they have to be named something. So today it was WP_Wiley, instead of the usual, tiresome, sol2333_waypoint1.”

So if you’re ever on Mars, I’ve got some real estate I’d like you to look at. It’s a little hard to see in the picture, but the rover will move right to left, heading for the green, which is the waypoint. Even tinier than the print on this picture, is the little-bitty For Sale sign I’ve put next to it.

BTW – the wx is (finally) turning beautiful on earth. Hope I’ll see you on the water this week.

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Sail Channel Islands

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