<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A quick test of my steering, and things are looking good as I get ready to roll. My team and I are keen to get moving. One step at a time. <a href="https://t.co/XSYfT158AQ">pic.twitter.com/XSYfT158AQ</a></p>&mdash; NASA&#39;s Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAPersevere/status/1367643559063523329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://mars.nasa.gov/system/resourc...-Drive-Map.png

This image shows two possible routes (blue and purple) to the fan-shaped deposit of sediments known as a delta for NASA’s Perseverance rover, which landed at the spot marked with a white dot in Mars’ Jezero Crater. The yellow line marks a notional traverse exploring the delta. The base image is from the High Resolution Imaging Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO).

Reminds me of a Rain Man poll. Purple is my vote. The traverse looks awesome.

I agree, purple. Check out the scenic turnout on the backside!

Purple...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m on the move! Just took my first test drive on Mars, covering about 16 feet (5 meters). You’re looking at the very beginning of my wheel tracks. Many more to make. <a href="https://t.co/7tFIwWFfJ4">pic.twitter.com/7tFIwWFfJ4</a></p>&mdash; NASA&#39;s Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAPersevere/status/1367936250271858689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It was later stated that the landing burn was at fault, with Chief Designer Elon Musk stating, “Thrust was low despite being commanded high for reasons unknown at present, hence hard touchdown. We’ve never seen this before.”

As such, had all landing legs locked into place, that would not have protected SN10 from a hard landing. “This was way past leg loads. They got squashed hard,” Elon added.

“Next time, min(imum) two engines all the way to the ground and restart engine 3 if engine 1 or 2 have issues,” Elon pointed out.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thrust was low despite being commanded high for reasons unknown at present, hence hard touchdown. We’ve never seen this before.<br><br>Next time, min two engines all the way to the ground &amp; restart engine 3 if engine 1 or 2 have issues.</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1368016384458858500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I didn't know they could throttle low enough to use two engines on landing.

Sounds like we are going to find out! SN11 is being rolled out soon.

March 9

Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L20

Launch time: 0258 GMT on 10th (9:58 p.m. EST on 9th)

Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

Sweet. A night launch.

Moved to NET March 11

“SN10 engine was low on thrust due (probably) to partial helium ingestion from fuel header tank. Impact of 10m/s [22 miles per hour] crushed legs & part of skirt,” he tweeted.

A closer look at the landing of SN10 shows it was slightly leaning to one side before exploding.

Musk went on to explain that the helium ingestion was probably the result of a pressurization system that had been added to the methane header tank to fix a problem that occurred in a previous starship prototype, SN8.

“If autogenous pressurization had been used, CH4 bubbles would most likely have reverted to liquid,” he said. “Helium in header was used to prevent ullage collapse from slosh, which happened in prior flight. My fault for approving. Sounded good at the time.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just prior to SN11 being placed onto the launch mount, SpaceX employees lowered down each and every landing leg. Testing them, so unlike during the SN10 flight; they will hopefully deploy properly this time. <a href="https://t.co/LJVl6zpnmo">pic.twitter.com/LJVl6zpnmo</a></p>&mdash; Austin Barnard�� (@austinbarnard45) <a href="https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1369353962269274113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Things are sounding really good here. Listen to the first sounds of wind captured by my SuperCam microphone. This mic is located at the top of my mast. For this recording, my mast was still down so the sound is a bit muffled. <a href="https://t.co/0KpN30oIro">https://t.co/0KpN30oIro</a></p>&mdash; NASA&#39;s Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAPersevere/status/1369694335168516097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>