A Mars rover descends to the surface with a ''sky crane.''

A "sky crane" lowers NASA's newest Mars rover in an artist's conception.

Illustration courtesy Maas Digital LLC/National Geographic Channels

Inside Mars Rover's "Terrifying" Landing: Hovercrafts, Chutes, and Shields

Why NASA's Curiosity is taking the hard way down.

ByMarc Kaufman
August 5, 2012

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