So glad they've realized the value in allowing everyone to experience how hard these things are. So impressive, I can't wait to watch this video over and over.
The inflation of the parachute is spectacular, and knowing how hard it is, and how hard it is to test on earth - its just incredible.
And the skycrane was flawless - just so impressive how well it works. Too bad it flies off to crash and can't land gently somewhere to maybe be able to use it for its own purpose.
If there was mass available to add something to the sky crane, you'd be better off putting that thing on the rover, since the rover has the plutonium power pack.
I do feel a bit sorry for the crane as well though :)
This is what I was thinking. That sky crane has to be as barebones as can possibly be made. Every single bit of mass on it is something that could be better used elseware.
Tradeoff of course is if you skimp on the mass too much you'll get an unreliable sky crane and the whole thing is a dud.
Sky crane will be used for seismic measurements with another vehicle picking up the waves from it slamming into mars firma on the other side of the planet so some use of it at least!
SpaceX broadcasts really raised the bar on what the public expect from space, and with it brought a lot of excitement. Great that scientific program is following in those footsteps.
Ehh...to be fair, Space exploration has always been an excitement for public ever since the Apollo days. NASA's PR team has been stellar for over 50 years in inspiring people around the world. Indeed, SpaceX upped the game for live broadcast.
Let's put it this way - if SpaceX didn't exist, I am sure Mars 2020 program would have had high resolution cameras and videos of the landing, along with all the excitement from the public. It's just inevitable as technology progresses. Keep in mind that social media wasn't a thing back then.
NASA/JPL and the Perseverence program isn't following anyone's footsteps here.
The inflation of the parachute is spectacular, and knowing how hard it is, and how hard it is to test on earth - its just incredible.
And the skycrane was flawless - just so impressive how well it works. Too bad it flies off to crash and can't land gently somewhere to maybe be able to use it for its own purpose.