ASTA01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Gusev (Martian Crater), Great Range, Airbag
Document Summary
Make mi missions possible by grinding the rock. Landed in the same way as its predecessor. Speed was slowed down through the atmosphere with rocket engines. Airbags deployed, the spacecraft bounced down to the surface. Landed at gusev crater / meridiani planum. Allowed us to tour the surface of the planet. Martian tornadoes formed by the wind patterns. Confirmed liquid water must have once been possible. Touched down at the north pole of mars. Tools to excavate soil and research geological interaction. No liquid water due to surface atmospheric pressure. Decided to launch yet another rover and make a mars science laboratory . Lifespan is a function of the power supply (the other rovers are technically forever) Launched on an atlas - class rocket. 2 times the size of spirit / opportunity rockets. Gale crater was chosen as the landing site after 5 years of debate. The landing site had to be representative.
