Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Martian Fireworks Next Month

Hey Space Placers!

As those of us in the U.S. prepare for the 4th of July and all of the fireworks displays, Curiosity will have her own fireworks going on over MArs one month and one day after the Nation's birthday.

If you haven't watched it yet, make sure you view my blog on June 23rd, "7 Minutes of Terror" which details what Curiosity must do right in order to land on the Red Planet. In order for many of the entry and landing processes to work, pyrotechnics are involved. In fact, there are 76 pyrotechnic events that must work on time and the first time or the mission will fail.

The Curiosity rover and its sky crane separate from the back which helped protect both during entry in the Martian atmosphere.

Read what must fire and how quickly for Curiosity to make it to Gale Crater: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-192

When you are watching the fireworks on the 4th, think of the 76 that must work perfectly for Curisoity to survive and thrive.

SKy Guy in VA

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