Simulation of the Mars Science Laboratory Sky Crane

An anonymous reader points us to Gizmodo for a fascinating video of NASA's Sky Crane. "When I read that the UFO-looking Mars Science Laboratory's aeroshell would use a floating crane — called Sky Crane by NASA — to softly land the rover on Mars, I couldn't believe it. Now, watching this hyper-realistic NASA simulation, I still can't believe how the whole thing works. I don't know about you, but the whole operation mesmerizes me to no end."

Comments

WTF: Hyper-realistic?

[corsec67]

Almost realistic: the simulation approaches what the same inputs would do to the real system.

Realistic: the simulation behaves the same way as the real system.

Hyper-realistic: the simulation is better at realism that they real system?

What next, über-realistic? Or is profit next?

And

[Konster]

We've got to flex some of our engineering muscle in front of our Martian friends so they will less inclined to invade us. In this light, clearly this > bouncing beach ball delivery.

Maybe have an external speaker system that blasts Ride of the Valkyries during descent, too.

Re:And

[memristance]

In that vein, I propose we scrap the whole robo-probe thing and go straight to a manned lander.

Re:Mars? Bah. Just another Athiest Myth!

[Anonymous Coward]

Your religion is weak. Forsake your old god and embrace your new faith.