i think the video is just an animation to let you know how they think it would look

edit: spelling

[edit on 14-9-2008 by Kalomar]

The ISS has to pull itself up from time to time because of the friction of the extremely rarefied atmosphere at that altitude, so I don't see any problem with Mars' atmosphere being dense enough to brake the fall of the probes, not only phoenix but also all other probes that had successful landings.

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It is sad to see the state of Science education these days. Physics 101 should be mandatory.

Just because the air on Mars is thin, doesn't mean that it is non existent. Thin air does indeed cause friction. The Mars probes have much larger parachutes than one would typically find being used on Earth. Engineers do quite a bit of calculating and computer simulation before making final designs. Think of the Earth atmosphere like water and that of Mars, like air. The Earth is a thick soup in comparison to Mars, but the air on Mars is still thick enough for parachutes to work quite well.

The air on Mars is thick enough to cause dust devils. Both the landers and orbiting instruments have recorded their presence. That should give you some clue.

Ah dammit you guys are on to me again, that's it I give up!

I admit it, I did not go to mars!

Originally posted by Aninsidejob
That parachute would not open on Mars...

Is that so? Please show me some tests that I assume you've done to see that a parachute won't open in the thin Martian atmosphere. ngchunter has linked to videos that show the opposite of what you claim.

You also seem to be confusing the terms "less dense atmosphere" with "no atmosphere". The former being what Mars has. It may not be as dense as Earth's but it's still there. A parachute will still deploy due to atmosphere acting apon it.

If the ISS can experiance atmospheric drag at 200 - 400 km in orbit. Then surely a parachute in the Matian atmosphere will.