Unlike previous craft to land on Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory is big - very big. The Universe Today describes the challenge of lowering it through the planet's thin atmosphere to the surface of the planet.
MSL will be the first planetary mission to use precision landing techniques, using a rocket-guided entry with a heat shield to steer itself toward the Martian surface similar to the way the space shuttle controls its entry through the Earth's upper atmosphere. In this way, the spacecraft will fly to a desired location above the surface of Mars before deploying its parachute for the final landing. MSL will use a scaled-up version of parachutes used for the Viking and Mars Exploration Rovers mission. Called a Disk-Gap-Band parachute, the name describes the construction of the parachute: a disk forms the canopy, then a small gap, followed by a cylindrical band.
Carrying a science lab on board, the job of robotic craft will be to uncover evidence for whether the Martian environment could once have been favorable for microbial life.
USA Today also carries a story about the difficulties of the Mars Science Laboratory mission.
Wayne
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