Spirits Scary Landing.....

It seems Spirit's landing was a little more dramatic than anticipated:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/m...ploration.html

How would Beagle 2 have faired if it encountered a similar situation. The
atmosphere seemed less dense at high altitudes causing the parachute on
Spirit to open up about 1 mile lower than expected. It seemed pretty windy
too.

"Elysium Fossa" wrote in message
...
It seems Spirit's landing was a little more dramatic than anticipated:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/m...ploration.html

How would Beagle 2 have faired if it encountered a similar situation. The
atmosphere seemed less dense at high altitudes causing the parachute on
Spirit to open up about 1 mile lower than expected. It seemed pretty
windy
too.



It opened at 4.9 miles up at a speed of 920 mph. Slowed to 152 mph and 30
mph higher than expected.
You may be right in that Beagle did not respond to the variance that was
undoubtedly encountered.

Spirit couldn't be in a better position for doing geology. The crater walls
and ejecta will answer all the
questions they need.

Michael wrote:

Spirit couldn't be in a better position for doing geology. The crater walls
and ejecta will answer all the questions they need.

If you say so.

--


Alex R. Blackwell
University of Hawaii