The astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery today used a computer simulator to practice landing in preparation for their planned return to Earth tomorrow.

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It is operated from a computer workstation, rather than by traditional aircraft controls, and has an automatic landing system.

ECONOMIST: Unmanned aircraft

Studies at the Gale Crater landing site have been on hold since the beginning of March after engineers discovered a problem with Curiosity's computer memory, possibly caused by space radiation.

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The plane's racy design, smooth fiberglass-composite body, BMW-like interior, dazzling computer instrumentation and an onboard parachute ready to float both the plane and passengers to a life-saving landing, if necessary, formed a clean break from the past.

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