This spacecraft will return more data than all previous Mars missions combined. |
We have a tremendous amount of anxiety and concern at this particular point in time. |
We have a tremendous amount of anxiety and concern. At the same time, I feel confident. We have a very good spacecraft that has been performing extraordinarily well. We have an excellent well-trained team that's ready to go forward. |
We have been preparing for years for the critical events the spacecraft must execute on Friday. |
We have been preparing for years for the critical events the spacecraft must execute on Friday. By all indications, we're in great shape to succeed, but Mars has taught us never to get overconfident. Two of the last four orbiters NASA sent to Mars did not survive final approach. |
We're getting into the dangerous portion of the mission. Now we're starting to enter into the realm where we've lost two spacecraft in the last 15 years. |
We're on the money right now. But we are getting into the dangerous portion of the mission. A lot can go wrong, and if we don't succeed, we will fly right by the planet. |