MARS LANDING

The robot vehicle which has been on its way to Mars for the last few months is due to land on Monday 5.21 pm our time. Nasa are planning to broadcast this event which could be really interesting to watch, especially as they describe the seven minutes of landing as 'seven minutes of hell', given the difficulty of getting it down safely onto the Mars ground. Given that there is a seven minute delay in communication between Earth and Mars, the computer on board really is on its own in terms of directing the landing, so it will be fantastic if it is successful, and extremely disappointing if not...not too mention a trifle expensive!

The first link has a count down until the landing, along with lots of information and the chance to interact directly by asking the robot scientist questions. The second link gives some more background.

  

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/participate/

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21799427