That article was kick ass, so much so, that I read and thought that was complicated.
After watching this animation, then I realized it really was that complicated!
The whole thing was in orbit, the spacecraft which was the landing craft and orbiter.
When it was time, the orbiter thrust itself into position to the edge of the atmosphere, to release the landing craft. After releasing the landing craft to its descent, the orbiter thrust itself upwards back into orbit.
The landing craft started its fall through the Martian atmosphere, and after a while deployed the drogue chute.
After slowing down enough with the drogue chute, then the actual lander separates from the landing craft. Then the lander after falling to a certain altitude will ignite the thrust, just like the old school video games for the soft landing onto the surface.
Man, that is so cool!
There is no rehearsal, they had one shot to do it, and they did it!
Try to explain it in your own words, then we realize, WOW!
