[extropy-chat] martian measurement units

[Spike]

GIANT AIRBAGS WILL GIVE ROVERS' LANDINGS A BOUNCE
-------------------------------------------------
If all goes well, Mars rover "Spirit" will slam into the atmosphere of
the
Red Planet on Saturday night, at an angle of 11.5 degrees, an altitude
of
about 80 miles and a velocity of 12,000 mph. Eight seconds before
touchdown, giant airbags will suddenly inflate, encapsulating the
spacecraft in a protective cocoon.

  http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/031231landing.html

Entry, descent and landing timeline:
  http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/031231edl.html




Miles.  Miles per hour.  {8-[

Seems we yanks have failed to learn our lesson
from the bitter experience of 23 September 1999.

spike

ps Actually this might be just a news media thing.
I would be surprised if NASA still uses English
units anywhere.  Good luck and evolutionspeed Spirit!