What's happening at the beginning there with that disc-like object that looks li... | Hacker News

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		tterrace on Aug 7, 2012 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: This is what Curiosity saw as it landed on Mars What's happening at the beginning there with that disc-like object that looks like it's free falling towards the surface? Edit: ah, the Youtube description says the beginning part is the heatshield separating.

kmm on Aug 7, 2012 | [–]

From the Wikipedia page[1], I would say it was the heat shield.

1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory

jessriedel on Aug 7, 2012 | [–]

Yea, that's why the video starts when it does. Before it comes off, the heat-shield is blocking the downward-facing camera.

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