A Landing Curiosity

The Suspense is Building

I don’t know about you, but the run-up to the Mars Science Laboratory’s mission landing Curiosity on the Red Planet is really building up for me. I’ve watched that “Seven Minutes of Terror” video a few times now, and was glad to see Wil Wheaton (I’ve been a follower of his writing for some years now) as the “host” of the show.

So, now it’s down to the last couple of days before the lander sets its wheels down on Mars. I am SO hoping it makes a safe arrival. I remember back in the days when I worked at Sky & Telescope and I went out to JPL as part of a team to cover a Mars mission that failed (Mars Polar Lander). The disappointment among the scientists was more like grief, particularly in light of other successful missions. So, I’m really hoping that this one turns out well — the latest in a string of successful missions to Mars.

Come Sunday night, I’ll be glued to the tube, or my computer, watching for the successful landing. Will you be?