Mars in a Minute: How Do You Choose a Landing Site?
So, you want to study Mars with a lander or rover - but where exactly do you send it? Learn how scientists and engineers tackle this question in this 60-second video from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
TRANSCRIPT
How do you choose a landing site?
So, you want to study Mars with a lander or rover - but where exactly do you send it? It's a tricky question, for engineers and scientists. You want it all: to land, work and discover.
To land safely means no high-elevation sites, where there isn't enough atmosphere to slow you down in time. And, try to avoid places with steep slopes or big rocks that could damage something. You also don't want to sink into a thick layer of dust!
Working is easier near the equator, where seasons aren't so extreme, and where solar panels can get lots of sun. And, of course, don't send a rover somewhere it can't drive!
Most important is what you want to discover. Some sites are great for studying rock layers; others might be perfect to listen for quakes.
Using Mars orbiters, you can collect lots of data on potential sites. When you find the best spot to land, work and discover, you've found your new home on Mars!
Credits
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Downloads
320 x 180
video/mp4
1280 x 720
video/mp4
1920 x 1080
video/mp4
320 x 180
video/x-m4v
640 x 360
video/x-m4v
1280 x 720
video/x-m4v
Image Browse
image/jpeg
Transcript
application/pdf
Embed
Embed this resource by pasting the following code into your website:
<iframe src="https://mars.nasa.gov/layout/embed/video/?v=398" width="640" height="370" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe>
By using the above code and embedding this image, you consent to Image Policy.