Brake for Science

[effex]

jiofregiogbruepwofjiepnf MARS, BABY. WE CHUCKED A SUV SIZED ROBOT THROUGH SPACE, BURNED THROUGH THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE, DEPLOYED A PARACHUTE, DEPLOYED JETS, DEPLOYED AN AIR CRANE, AND IT WORKED.

ETA: Did you know Neil deGrasse Tyson had a whole conversation with Curiosity via Twitter? He did, it's basically the most adorable thing ever.

Comments

[sara]

I think it's the air crane part that impressed me most.

[effex]

[nods] I was kinda agog at 'and then the craft will hover in midair and we'll winch the rover down 25 feet to the surface' but, hey, it worked!