Discussion Questions: Mars Dead or Alive: Where to Land?

• What has been, and continues to be, the driving force behind missions to Mars?
• Describe the success or failure of the majority of attempts to land on Mars.
• This video emphasizes the difficulties in successfully landing a vehicle on Mars. What are some of the considerations for choosing a landing site?
• Why did scientists choose Gusev Crater as a landing site?
• What systems did engineers use to enable the rover to land safely on Gusev Crater?