Verification and Validation of the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Rover Entry, Descent, and Landing System

On 6 August 2012, the Curiosity rover successfully touched down on the Martian surface setting off the most ambitious surface exploration of this planetary body. Preceding this significant step were years of design, development, and testing of the Curiosity Entry, Descent, and Landing system to prepare for the most complex landing endeavor ever attempted at Mars. To address the numerous challenges, the approach and implementation of the overall Entry, Descent, and Landing verification and validation program relied on its decomposition into three distinct domains: flight dynamics, flight system and subsystem verification and validation. The test and analysis scope, the venues, and the processes utilized were tailored to each of these domains, and are discussed in greater detail. The overall lessons learned and conclusions described herein can serve as a pathfinder for the Entry, Descent, and Landing system testing approach and implementation of future Mars landed missions.