![NOVA](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/iAn87U1-white-logo-41-7WCUoLi.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Parachute Problems
Clip: Season 39 Episode 15 | 2m 54sVideo has Closed Captions
NASA untangles why a parachute failed during tests prior to the Curiosity landing.
While testing Curiosity’s parachute in the world’s largest wind tunnel, JPL scientists and engineers were confounded by a failed trial run. The parachute had never failed to open in the past, so why this strange anomaly? By replicating the error and analyzing it in high-resolution footage, they were able to pinpoint the problem.
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
![NOVA](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/iAn87U1-white-logo-41-7WCUoLi.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Parachute Problems
Clip: Season 39 Episode 15 | 2m 54sVideo has Closed Captions
While testing Curiosity’s parachute in the world’s largest wind tunnel, JPL scientists and engineers were confounded by a failed trial run. The parachute had never failed to open in the past, so why this strange anomaly? By replicating the error and analyzing it in high-resolution footage, they were able to pinpoint the problem.
How to Watch NOVA
NOVA is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
![NOVA Labs](https://image.pbs.org/curate-console/3d6fe803-30cf-41f9-b528-9cac42120bf4.jpg?format=webp&resize=860x)
NOVA Labs
NOVA Labs is a free digital platform that engages teens and lifelong learners in games and interactives that foster authentic scientific exploration. Participants take part in real-world investigations by visualizing, analyzing, and playing with the same data that scientists use.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipUltimate Mars Challenge Preview
Video has Closed Captions
Airs Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Check your local listings. (30s)
Video has Closed Captions
Engineers who landed the Curiosity rover on Mars recall their early love of space. (1m 34s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipNational Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.