When NASAs Mars Curiosity rover lands on Mars August 5, scientists say theyll be in for seven minutes of terror.

Surveying the landing process from a control station on Earth, NASAs crew wont know whats happening with the rover due to a delayed signal. It takes 14 minutes for the rovers signal to reach from Mars to Earth, meaning NASA will be observing the process on a delayed timeline.

When we first get word that weve touched the top of the atmosphere, the vehicle has been alive or dead on the surface for at least seven minutes, said engineer Adam Stelzner in a NASA video.

And its not like the landing process is simple. The rover will go through a complicated and strange series of events on its way to the surface of Mars. This oddly-gripping video outlines them all. (Its five minutes long, but its a good five minutes. Take a look.)

Hat tip to Gizmodo.

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NASA says Mars landing will be ’7 minutes of terror’