More than a few of us are interested in flying technology, so I thought I would post.
I'm sure most of us already know about the Mars probe named 'Curiousity' that is soon to land on the surface with many new devices in order to measure, detect, and send back info within 14 min's (light-speed/RF) time, but only if it can pass a real test of human engineering and computer programming, in order to pierce the martian outer layers and land safely on the surface. Nuclear engine intact and all systems go...
500,000 lines of code will attempt to land this probe named 'Curiousity', under full autonomous (i.e. non-remote) computer control, and will have to slow this nuclear powered 2000lb probe from 13,000MPH to 0MPH(vertical landing) within 7 minutes. It's being dubbed the '7 minutes of terror'. A
video shows the concept. There's also another video with William Shatner narrating. Supposedly even another video with Wil Wheaton.
So anyway, I will be watching in 6hrs 17mins. That will be around 1:30am EST. Maybe some of you with 6hrs on us will hear about it first...
EDIT: Added OT to title.