Entry, Descent, and Landing Configuration | ||
Mars Science Laboratory will use a bold, new landing system. The spacecraft's descent into the martian atmosphere will be guided by small rockets on its way toward the surface. Like Viking, Pathfinder and the Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Science Laboratory will be slowed by a large parachute. As the spacecraft loses speed, rockets will fire again, controlling the spacecraft's descent until the rover separates from its final delivery system, the sky crane. Like a large crane on Earth, the sky crane touchdown system will lower the rover to a "soft landing" -wheels down-on the surface of Mars, ready to begin its mission. |