Re: The most dangerous phase will be approach to landing and impact
Larry J wrote:
That means [the 2003 MERs] have to handle whatever weather conditions that exist on Mars at the time instead of waiting for better conditions (as Viking did).
Alex wrote:
Yes, the MERs will be on a ballistic trajectory that enters the Martian atmosphere prograde. However, a small nitpick: the delay with the two Viking landers was due to rugged terrain at the pre-selected landing sites, not weather conditions.
I believe he was thinking of Mariner 9. Which did wait out a dust storm at Mars in 1971.
--Chris Vancil