Mars Descent Imager

The Mars Descent Imager will provide color video footage of the landing site and the surrounding terrain during the Mars Science Laboratory's descent to the surface of the red planet. Image credit:
NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Knowing the location of loose debris, boulders, cliffs, and other features of the terrain will be vital for planning the path of exploration after the Mars Science Laboratory rover arrives on the red planet. The Mars Descent Imager will take color video during the rover's descent toward the surface, providing an "astronaut's view" of the local environment.

As soon as the rover jettisons its heatshield several kilometers above the surface, the Mars Descent Imager will begin producing a five-frames-per-second video stream of high-resolution, overhead views of the landing site. It will continue acquiring images until the rover lands, storing the video data in digital memory. After landing safely on Mars, the rover will transfer the data to Earth.

In addition to helping Earthbound planners select an optimum path of exploration, the Mars Descent Imager will provide information about the larger geologic context surrounding the landing site. It will also enable mappers to determine the spacecraft's precise location after landing.