17 Jan
2004
17 Jan
'04
5:38 p.m.
A few more bits of Entry, Descent and Landing data from a recent NASA-TV news conference: Craft was traveling just under 1,500 km/hr when the chute opened. Chute opened at 7,500 meters. Descent rate under the parachute was 245 km/hr. Braking rockets fired at 104 meters. Bridal cut at 8.5 meters (only 1.5 airbag diameters!). Horizontal (across the ground) velocity at touchdown was about 35 km/hr. First bounce reached a height nearly equal to bridal cut height. Bounced 28 times (craft did not roll) over 57 seconds, possibly up hill. Distance from first bounce to where it came to rest was about 300 meters. Patrick