Building Pathinder's airbags no easy task

Posted by jburk to Mars Pathfinder at June 29, 1997 12:00 PM

Start with the world's largest vacuum chamber, where air pressure can be regulated to simulate the thin atmosphere on Mars. Erect a 50-foot wall within the chamber, tilt it at a 60 degree angle, and bolt jagged rocks all over it so it resembles a steep Martian slope.