From: snidely.too@gmail.com   
      
   On Saturday, Alain Fournier queried:   
   > On Feb/20/2021 at 11:14, Ed Ruf wrote :   
   >> On Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:23:21 -0500, JF Mezei   
   >>  wrote:   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>> So mass to Mars is no longer an issue then?   
   >>>   
   >>> Or did I totally misinterpret this ?   
   >>   
   >>   
   >> I believe the re-entry mass and landing latitude are bigger drivers.   
   >> The thin atmosphere provides only so much opportunity for controlled   
   >> deceleration.   
   >   
   > Why would the landing latitude be a problem?   
   >   
      
   I don't know, but the first two thoughts are   
      
   a) asymmetry in the atmosphere's shape (bulging at the equator,   
   perhaps?)   
      
   b) angle of approach at the end of cruise phase.   
      
   /dps   
      
      
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