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The specific dust factor that is mentioned in the EDL video is dust, kicked up in descent, settling on the instruments within the robot.

Do you have a reference to the contamination rationale playing a role for the choice of a crane for MSL? Because I have not heard that mentioned.

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Sorry, I wasn't able to figure out where I first heard about the contamination concern with MSL. I think I may have heard it in a video interview, which makes it nigh unsearchable. That said, a search of nasa.gov reveals several mentions of the use of a skycrane to reduce rocket exhaust contamination in relation to other missions, particularly ExoMars.

Hmm, if it's a factor for ExoMars, maybe it is for MSL too. Thanks for the info.

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