OVERVIEW The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) was launched by NASA in 2011 with the unique directive of investigating whether ancient conditions on Mars could have supported the existence of microbial life. This rover represents the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s largest and most advanced rover, requiring an all-new landing maneuver. Unlike its predecessors, MSL lands on the same six-wheel mobility system that it uses to traverse the Red Planet. It uses the Skycrane maneuver to accomplish this, in which the rover is lowered from a slowly descending rocket-controlled stage via a system of bridles. ATA Engineering, Inc., provided analysis and test support for verification of the viability of this challenging touchdown maneuver. TASKS PERFORMED & KEY OUTCOMES h Design of a rover test chassi

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