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A launch and return to the same rotating body is surely a simpler maneuver than orbital transfer to a different spinning body and landing. No doubt we are bette
by onethought 3y ago
A launch and return to the same rotating body is surely a simpler maneuver than orbital transfer to a different spinning body and landing. No doubt we are better at it but I’m not sure earth landings are an accurate analog.
- stevage 3y agoNah, you can't really compare them like that. And landing on a planet with an atmosphere is completely different from a moon without one. Landing on the moon is easier. It just looks hard because it's so expensive to get there that you don't get many attempts.
- bluGill 3y agoThat depends on how much atmosphere. Mars has enough atmosphere to be annoying, but not really enough to be useful. Winds can throw you off target, but you can't use a parachute for a soft landing.
- stevage 3y agoThat's not true. Many (most?) Mars missions with Landers have used parachutes, though they are not sufficient for a true soft landing. I'm not an expert but I think landing on Mars with no atmosphere would be harder, because you'd need so much more fuel for a controlled descent.