MSL EDL Hardware, Its state & fate Options

[bigdipper]

Looking at the HiRISE imagery of the descent stage, does the distribution of the debris field represent the disintegration of the stage from impact only, or is it possible that some or all of the 140+/- kilos of Hydrozine exploded and expanded the debris field? [I understand the darker albedo material is from below the surface]

Does the thin martian atmosphere contain enough oxygen to support combustion/explosion? [guessing No, but my chem is insufficient]

Were the hydrazine cells sufficiently designed to survive impact intact?

I couldn't find anything on the net or in the specs, any ideas?

[James Sorenson]

I'm not sure if this was discussed, I apologize if it has. There is a very obvious impact in the lower left if this image that I have highlighted with a box. I was thinking either from one of the masses or something that shot very far from the decent stage impact. Any idea's?

[fredk]

There is a very obvious impact in the lower left if this image that I have highlighted with a box.

Good eye! It's not on GM, so it's part of MSL. The angle of spray appears to be towards the SW, lined up almost perfectly with the DS impact point. Wow, could that be a stray piece of the descent stage? It's several hundred metres from the DS!

[Mongo]

Good eye! It's not on GM, so it's part of MSL. The angle of spray appears to be towards the SW, lined up almost perfectly with the DS impact point. Wow, could that be a stray piece of the descent stage? It's several hundred metres from the DS!

If the DS exploded on impact with the Mars surface, could a stray fragment from the explosion be hurled this far? A hydrazine explosion might also explain the "dust cloud" we see in the rear hazcam images.