Sequence of Events:

07/04/97 17:07:12 Approximate Time of Solid Rocket Ignition

At approximately 17:07:12 three solid propellant rockets on the inner surface of the back shell fire which further slow down the descent rate of the lander. Each solid rocket motor consumes 30.7 kg of propellant over a period of 2.2 seconds, generating a thrust of 7,938 newtons. The decent rate is slowed down from a rate of 58 meters per seconds, or 130 miles per hour, to a descent rate of less than 20 meters per second. The above picture is an artist's rendition from a vantage point above Pathfinder looking down on the landing site.

Test of Rad Rockets

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