Posted on 01/05/2019 9:27:33 AM PST by BenLurkin
Before NASA's Mars 2020 mission is ready to launch toward the Red Planet, the agency has to paint the new rover — a task more challenging than it sounds.
While a paint job may sound like an insignificant task, both the formulation and the process of painting a spacecraft like this have to be precise. And each spacecraft is unique.
In August 2018, engineers working on the rover's chassis (the frame of the spacecraft) started the first step in the painting process: taping. Parts of the rover must never be painted, such as places where electronics boxes will eventually go and where wiring harnesses and attachment points for hypersensitive science instruments that require bare metal surfaces will be placed. So the paint team first expertly and precisely tapes the spacecraft, so that no paint ends up where it's not supposed to be, but also so that no space that is supposed to be painted is left bare.
"You can find the masking tape we used on 2020 in just about any hardware store," Ryan van Schilifgaarde, a support engineer for Mars 2020 assembly, said in the statement. "But whereas you would probably tear off a strip with your hands and eyeball it onto the wall you wanted to paint in your house, we use a computer-controlled cutter to make sure each piece is exactly the size and shape we want it to be."
In order to prevent corrosion or oxidation (essentially, rust), the whole job — from sanding to washing to priming to painting — needs to be done in 6 hours.
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
Pretty amazing.
Do they really fix up that Nova?
I’ve always said autobody painters are artists (the really good ones, that is). But, these guys take it to the anal level.
Also...what a tape job!
. In August 2018, engineers working on the rover’s chassis (the frame of the spacecraft) “””
I’ve lived sixty years without ever seeing the word ‘chassis’defined in an article...I guess the streak hadda’ end sometime...
In order to prevent corrosion or oxidation (essentially, rust), “””
Welp, I spoke too damn soon...
WHO THE HELL IS THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR!!!???
What the heck is rust?
Put a Hemi Engine in it. Make sure to paint the Engine MOPAR Blue.
Wouldn’t it have been simpler if they just attached replica parts and then painted it?
Oxidation.
When they turn over the restored car to the owner, do they ever reveal what the total cost to the owner was?
Prefer Competition Orange...
Nah. Some of it probably has to do with the show’s budget. Overhaulin’ does it all for free!
https://watch.motortrend.com/tv-shows/overhaulin/
You are correct. The 426 Hemis in the A Body Cars were painted Orange, 69 to 73.
Yeah, I watch the show.
Mark is way out there but he knows his stuff. I started watching when I accidentally came across the Show and realized Mark looks and acts exactly like my Late B-I-L and best buddy. It is uncanny.
Just realized that Dave Rea left the Show and has his own MOPAR Restoration Business now.
When I hit the Lotto one of those guys will be building me a 68 Charger Restomod with a brand new Hellcat Drivetrain.
Until then, I cruise around in my Red 2015 Challenger.
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