That will be one tense Rube Goldberg landing in 2012. A failure would be very di... | Hacker News

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ugh on May 25, 2011 | parent | context | favorite | on: NASA to abandon Spirit Mars Rover

That will be one tense Rube Goldberg landing in 2012. A failure would be very disappointing. Phoenix gives at least some hope that NASA has landing with rocket motors on Mars under control.

fletchowns on May 25, 2011 | [–]

The way it lands is awesomely elaborate, for anybody who hasn't seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudlaGh1A0o

Watch it in 720p!

mturmon on May 25, 2011 | [–]

You're right about the tense landing. The thing that makes it hard is this:

Phoenix mass: 350kg

Spirit/Opportunity mass: 550kg

MSL mass: 900kg

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