MSL FAQ - The pool of questions Options

[djellison]

Rob Manning and I swopped emails last night - and we think it might make sense to pool all the questions people have about MSL (and specifically MSL's EDL ) into one thread - and then answer as many as make sense either via a Q'n'A in the style of the previous ones I've done with Steve and Jim - or via Rob's typing fingers.

It'll be a few weeks till we sort this out - but submit-away until then

Doug

[Toma B]

Thanks Doug!
Here are my questions:

a ) Tests of Skycrane on Earth:

1 ) Is there a plan to do at least one full scale test of the descent stage using as close as possible to flight hardware?

2 ) When and where will these tests be undertaken?

3 ) Is there an almost finished Skycrane NOW somewhere in labs? (I don't intend to steel it :-))

b ) How long can it work once it is released from backshell?

1 ) How much fuel does it carry?

2 ) What is Skycranes thrust to weight ratio at full throttle?

3 ) At what height is Skycrane released from the backshell?

c ) How far away will Skycrane crash after releasing MSL-lander? (I know this cannot be answered precisely)

1 ) Is it possible that Skycrane will (almost) soft land?

2 ) Is there a plan to visit it after or is that for any reason dangerous?

Thanks again for the opportunity to do this? Sorry for my English.....

P.S.
I love this place....