Descent Imaging

Descent imaging provides pictures during entry, descent, and landing. It is one of the advanced terrain-sensing techniques that could be used on future missions for the detection and avoidance of surface hazards during descent through the martian atmosphere, although that is not how it will be used on MSL. The purpose of descent imaging on MSL is to enable mission teams to make early determinations about the precise place the rover landed based on images of the martian surface collected on the way down.

This image simulates how the descent imager for the Mars Exploration Rovers took three pictures of the surface and compared high-contrast features (e.g., craters) to determine the spacecraft's horizontal velocity during entry, descent, and landing. This measurement helped determine which transverse rockets should be fired to keep the spacecraft within its planned landing area.

In addition to stunning video, the data the camera collects will allow scientists and engineers to: observe geological processes at a variety of scales, sample the horizontal wind profile, create detailed geologic, geomorphic and traverse planning and relief maps of the landing site.