Entry, Descent, and Landing System

The Mars 2020 spacecraft follows an entry, descent, landing process similar to that used in landing the Mars rover, Curiosity.
Avoiding Hazards During Landing: This animation depicts the Terrain-Relative Navigation technique incorporated into entry, descent, and landing for the Mars 2020 rover. By taking images of the surface during its descent, the rover can quickly determine whether it is headed toward an area of its landing zone that the mission team has determined is hazardous. If necessary, a divert maneuver can send it toward safer terrain.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
November 19, 2018
CreditNASA/JPL-Caltech
Language
  • english

The Mars 2020 spacecraft follows an entry, descent, landing process similar to that used in landing the Mars rover, Curiosity. Mars 2020 lands at a site still to be determined in February 2021. Mars 2020 has major new technologies that improve entry, descent, and landing: Range Trigger, Terrain-Relative Navigation, MEDLI2, and its EDL cameras and microphone.

This animation depicts the Terrain-Relative Navigation technique incorporated into entry, descent, and landing for the Mars 2020 rover. By taking images of the surface during its descent, the rover can quickly determine whether its headed toward an area of its landing zone that the mission team has determined is hazardous. If necessary, a divert maneuver can send it toward safer terrain.

Downloads

Original (1920×1080)

Mar 10, 2024

gif (13.51 MB)