Mars landing by InSight lander

[Wickham]

Another great achievement.

I believe that Mars has frequent dust storms which would adversely affect a parachute and there is also the risk of landing on a rock. Even landing a few small stones would affect the stability and level of the craft. It could wobble in the wind. So was NASA lucky or were these risks avoided by clever design and operation?

[MeatyFool]

I have done no research before this ...

I seem to recall that this method of arrival/landing had been used for one of the other landers some years ago.

The rockets that arrest downward travel just before landing fire after radar has got a lock on the terrain.

I would guess there is sufficient leeway in the fuel reserves to "dodge" anything that is of concern.

Meatyfool..

[skyewright]

Even landing a few small stones would affect the stability and level of the craft. It could wobble in the wind. So was NASA lucky or were these risks avoided by clever design and operation?

I recall hearing an interview (Inside Science R4?) in which someone mentioned that for this non-mobile project they had especially picked a particularly flat & featureless bit of the surface as good even contact with the ground was especially important given seismic study aspects of the mission.

[stannn]

https://www.verdict.co.uk/nasa-insight-lander-solar-power-record/