Space Watch

[Stephenite]

Tonight, InSight, NASAs latest Mars lander will be attempting just that. Coverage starts at 19:00 GMT. Actual touchdown should be around 19:55.

Several sites to follow the event live. Here's NASAs own site. Or this NASA site (looks better i think).

I read somewhere that 40% of the attempts to land on Mars have failed. Nail-biting stuff.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I read somewhere that 40% of the attempts to land on Mars have failed. Nail-biting stuff.

Yep - a risky manoeuvre. Where's the fingers crossed smiley?

 

[Dave7]

It is staggering. The technology and clever people who do it are beyond me.
I dont think we will learn anything worthwhile from it and would rather see the money spent down here but that doesn't detract from the achievement.

 

[Wobbly John]

...and if you are yet unaware of what it's all about, here's a fun infographic: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/insigh...CwC7I1oVVC9z_GWSQlpt_VypzIW_SA6hxXTA3DIMdZVhs

Keep scrolling...

 

[classic33]

Yep - a risky manoeuvre. Where's the fingers crossed smiley?

 

[Stephenite]

I read somewhere that 40% of the attempts to land on Mars have failed. Nail-biting stuff.

It's the other way around. 40% succeed historically.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Here comes the risky bit, looks like the parachute has deployed

 

[Stephenite]

'Supersonic' parachute deployed.

Radar lock achieved.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Radar lock!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

60, 50, 37, 30, 20, 17, standing by for touchdown......................................................

 

[Supersuperleeds]

confirmed

 

[Stephenite]

The nervousness in the control room is palpable.

Touchdown!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Not as exciting as the thunderbird rockets of Mr Musk, but I love this shizzle

 

[Supersuperleeds]

They've landed on a speckled egg

 

[Lullabelle]

The BBC reporters were so busy talking ***** that they missed the important part ie touchdown