Adams software helps simulate Curiosity's descent to Mars

Engineers at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) used Adams multibody dynamics software from MSC Software to simulate the sky crane maneuver sequences for the Mars rover Curiosity.

For instance, during the rover separation, JPL had to prevent the flight hardware from clashing during the two-body phase of the descent. Using Adams, engineers modeled and simulated the event, which gave them critical knowledge about it. Watch a video about Curiousity's entry, descent, and landing. Also see...