Curiosity Landing on Mars Exceeds Expectations

NASA/Bill Ingalls

A jubilant Christopher J. Scolese, Director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, arms outstretched, congratulates Adam Steltzner, a mechanical engineer who led the  Mars Science Lab Entry, Descent, and Landing project. They are glimpsing the first images of Mars sent from Curiosity rover after its remarkable landing last night. In the background behind Steltzner, two men are embracing as they revel in the triumphant conclusion to just under eight years of waiting for this moment.

NASA scientists revealed Monday that Curiosity had landed on a slope of just 3.6 degrees, with its nose pointed slightly down, but initial checks indicated that Curiosity's suite of geochemistry instruments survived the landing sequence.  Great news for NASA and something akin to a miracle for the rest of mankind.

The shot above taken from NASA TV shows the Curiosity rover attached to its parachute on its descent.

The NASA picture above has been enlarged from its original version to clearly show the Curiosity rover's shadow near its landing site. Ham on Wry is struck with a sense of awe at this amazing feat.