Mars Rover's 'Seven Minutes of Terror' | National Geographic

July 31, 2012—NASA has planned one of the most complicated spacecraft landings ever attempted for the Curiosity rover's touchdown on August 6 at about 1:30 am. ET.

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The complex procedure involves the use of the largest supersonic parachute ever built and a "sky crane" to lower the rover onto the Martian surface. "If any one thing doesn't work just right," says one engineer, "it's game over!"

Mars Rover's "Seven Minutes of Terror" | National Geographic

National Geographic

[rogerlerebel]

Considering the relative amount of failures of NASA missions in recent past and the ridiculous complexity of this landing that was never tested before, I can't believe how these people can be so confident. The only thing missing in this video is the Mission Impossible theme.

[Tip]

I think national geographic is making a comeback and I'm lovin it

[fxlineardynamics]

I can't get over how complicated the mechanisms are to land the rover. Just the nylon tethers lowering he craft alone, or the stabilizers used to control the retros are enough to make me wonder, in any event, I wish JPL the best of luck on this one....I hope all goes well.

[TheGimpwars]

Thanks again, actually some interesting stuff. I think high quality interactive

[TheGimpwars]

Thanks for the up-load(s). is there any media we can see this in "real time" live?. thanks in advance

[TheTRUwins]

Please provide the URL as I can not find page you are referring to.
Thx :)

[livefast]

Good to see NG is posting videos available in countries that actually give a fuck. (North America). Keep it up, from Canada.

[TheGimpwars]

Thanks o the up-loads. scues the pun. b4 u guys wip'em out. does anyone know if their is a live feed on the "Roaver" where it is now etc.? thanks in advance

[TheGimpwars]

The most factual thing I have ever heard on you tube. i agree. have some respect ffor others. Even if you'e smarter or better in grammar or just you feel you're more intelligent then you fellow youtuber try being the better man & teach rather then taunting in a nice way : D

[GoldStal]

I can't wait for the 6th =). I hope everything goes well.

[thecodcajunthibodeaux]

7 minutes of terror summed up in 3 minutes.

[RayeD_X]

Where can I watch the full documentary?

[ashesoneeight]

the rover has wheels to get to where it needs to study, not necessarily the same place where the balloon should stop bouncing, so all it has to worry about is a safe landing, the rover has six independent articulating arms with wheels on them, terrain is not too much of an issue and the rover is solar powered so it could travel for days...

[TheGimpwars]

They did it! i knew it. it was/is awesome.Kongesta!

[caosarul]

great effort! humans should get more advanced in space tech so can contribute towards finding life on mars..

[valhala]

Cool sequence, hope it doesn't end up on fail blog.

[TheGimpwars]

Thanks, they have an image of the buggy w/"buggy camera" button. click it shows the camera housing. oh geez. I am asking for 2 much. Thanks again

[thetarget]

"the simplest way is the best way"? This is the main reason why this world is falling apart.

[pinzgauernorcal]

how does it recharge ?i didnt see any panels.

[itsMinuteMaid]

Waste of time and money. They should be going to Europa instead.