of this Mars probe. They had some design struggles with the parachute not
opening during tests. So opening late and still surviving I think was the
least of their worries.
-Kevin
----- Original Message -----
From: "C. Hatton Humphrey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "CF-Community" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 1:39 PM
Subject: Careful, They're Off-Roading on Mars... And Look Out Below!
> Http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/01/14/rover.mars.reut/index.html
>
> We're driving the robot on Mars... But my favorite part of the article:
>
> A reconstruction of the landing showed that Spirit's computers
unexpectedly
> deployed the lander's parachute about a mile (1.6 km) lower than the
> targeted altitude. The craft was hurtling toward the ground at 920 miles
per
> hour (1,480 kph) when the parachute opened 7.5 kilometers (4.6 miles)
above
> the ground, said Rob Manning, entry descent and landing manager.
>
> The spacecraft, shielded by airbags, bounced 28 times for nearly a minute
> before coming to rest about 300 meters from where it first hit the planet.
>
> "It was an easy landing," Manning said. "You realize that robots have
nerves
> of steel -- or nerves of copper wire."
>
> ---
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