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Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
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From its location at the inner edge of the small crater surrounding it,
Opportunity was able to look out to the plains of Meridiani Planum where
its backshell (left) and parachute (right) landed. This approximate
true-color image was created by combining data from the Pancam panoramic
camera's red, green and blue filters. (released Feb. 9, 2004)
After each MER spacecraft completes its long journey to Mars, it must make a safe landing. A supersonic parachute will slow its descent. Then a cluster of airbags will inflate around the craft at a thousand feet above the martian surface. These airbags form a protective cushion for a violent landing that includes several high bounces and a long roll.
Learn more about Entry, Descent, and Landing
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Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
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Opportunity's new neighborhood at Meridiani Planum shows
remnants of the rover's landing, including its lander; backshell and
parachute; first bounce mark; and the site where its heat shield
impacted the surface. The image was taken by a camera onboard the Mars
Global Surveyor orbiter. (released Feb. 9, 2004)
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Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
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An image of Spirit's lander, backshell, parachute, heatshield, and
bounce marks on the surface of Mars captured more than two weeks after the
Jan. 3 landing by the Mars Global Surveyor camera.
