Looks like the parachute detached early and the rockets either did not compensate or were not able to. The images posted show the parachute and the impact site. I'm still in awe that we have machines that can watch other machines land on other planets.

cgod:

It's ridiculous and a little petty of me but I feel some kind off national pride that the U.S. is the only nation that has thus far been able to successfully land operative scientific equipment on Mars (as if I had anything to do with it).

The United States holds the record with an operating rover lasting 12 years and counting. The next best us Russia, who had a lander last for 15 seconds before going dark.

In truth any planetary science benefits us all and I feel super bad for the scientist and engineers have worked their entire professional careers to get more scientific instruments on Mars. The loss of any of these crafts is an unfortunate set back for all of mankind.


posted 2734 days ago