Mars rover mission

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Adam Steltzner, right, a leader of the landing team, said that if any one of 76 pyrotechnic explosions failed to occur before landing, "We die." Officials had spent much of the day Sunday speculating about how Curiosity might fail, and what the consequences might be for America's space program.

Celebration

( Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / August 5, 2012 )

Adam Steltzner, right, a leader of the landing team, said that if any one of 76 pyrotechnic explosions failed to occur before landing, "We die." Officials had spent much of the day Sunday speculating about how Curiosity might fail, and what the consequences might be for America's space program.

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