Curiosity landing system versus Spirit/Opportunity's

Question

Spirit/Opportunity used airbags to land while Curiosity had a "carrier" with thrusters and chords - which to me sounds heavier and much more complex, therefore also riskier.

It seems that it would have the advantage of lower impacts and would be flipped the right side.

So why did they decide to go with this system instead of one based on airbags?

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 18 '19 at 03:50

5

Because Curiosity massed almost ten times more. Airbags wouldn't have sufficed to get it upright, once the dust had settled.

Curiosity weighs as much as a passenger car. Airbags (admittedly commercial, not space-rated) are only strong enough to contain its occupants, in much gentler collisions, in a much denser atmosphere.

answered Oct 18 '19 at 03:50

Camille Goudeseune

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That’s right, just look what happened to Chantilas! – uhoh Oct 18 '19 at 06:04
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Excellent coverage of the Curiosity Entry, Descent and Landing system in these articles by Emily Lakdawalla at the Planetary Society: Part 1 (Entry) and Part 2 (Descent) and Part 3 (Skycrane & landing) – astrosnapper Oct 18 '19 at 15:57

Curiosity landing system versus Spirit/Opportunity's

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