Entry descent, and landing scenario for the Mars Exploration Rover mission

In January 2004, the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission will land two landers on the surface of Mars. Both landers will deliver a rover to the surface using an entry, descent, and landing (EDL) scenario based on Mars Pathfinder heritage. However, the entry conditions and environments are different from that of Mars Pathfinder. Unique challenges are present due to the entry differences of a heavier entry mass, less dense atmosphere, and higher surface landing site altitude. These differences result in a higher terminal velocity and less time for performing all the EDL events as compared to Mars Pathfinder. As a result of these differences, modifications are made to the MER EDL systems to safely deliver the rovers to the surface of Mars.