re: Air drop video for Mars airbag landing system ?
Yes - they did open air tests. I've specifically seen the footage. Earth atmosphere at, say, 40 knots is similar in dynamic pressure to opening the chute at trans-sonic speed on mars I believe.
They had a massive MASSIVE chute failure when they did it. Thing almost detonated when it inflated. Hence the return to the wind-tunnel to try a new design.
Doug