Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X @skuthunur.
Jam packed issues filled with the latest cutting-edge research, technology and theories delivered in an entertaining and visually stunning way, aiming to educate and inspire readers of all agesImagine trying to land an SUV-sized rover on another world. That's definitely enough of a challenge on its own, but picture doing so while the rover hangs perilously beneath a hovering sky crane, connected by just a handful of clothesline-like nylon cables.
Sounds like one for the science fiction books, doesn't it? Yet scientists and engineers at NASA succeeded in such a daring feat 12 years ago this month, when just such an unprecedented,NASA's Curiosity rover and its parachute were spotted by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as Curiosity descended to the surface on Aug. 5 PDT , 2012.— landed enveloped by massive, inflated airbags that bounced more than 15 times on the Red Planet's surface before slowing to a stop.
"As far as the amount of control that the team has during entry, descent and landing, it's identical to the control that anybody watching at home has," JPL's Adam Steltzner, who was leading the EDL phase for Curiosity,That ride was deemed flawless soon after the six-wheeled Curiosity touched down as planned in the 96-mile-wide Gale Crater, and its 10 science instruments worked perfectly.
"People were confused by that," he said in the NASA statement."They assumed propulsion would always be below you, like you see in old science fiction with a rocket touching down on a planet."
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here’s How Curiosity’s Sky Crane Changed the Way NASA Explores MarsTwelve years ago, NASA landed its six-wheeled science lab using a daring new technology that lowers the rover using a robotic jetpack.
Read more »
Here's how Curiosity's sky crane changed the way NASA explores MarsTwelve years ago, NASA landed its six-wheeled science lab using a daring new technology that lowers the rover using a robotic jetpack.
Read more »
Curiosity’s Wild Ride: How the Sky Crane Changed the Way NASA Explores MarsScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
NASA will shut down NASA TV on cable to focus on NASA+Mariella Moon has been a night editor for Engadget since 2013, covering everything from consumer technology and video games to strange little robots that could operate on the human body from the inside one day. She has a special affinity for space, its technologies and its mysteries, though, and has interviewed astronauts for Engadget.
Read more »
NASA's Mars rover to begin 'most challenging' journey up crater rimThe Perseverance rover will begin the Crater Rim Campaign on Aug. 19.
Read more »
Astonishing Evidence of Life Discovered on Mars by NASA’s Perseverance RoverScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »