People hurry past in the darkness. I walk quickly to the building where the Lander Imaging Team is housed. Many of my colleagues, scientists and engineers, are there. For all of us there is only waiting, and I realize that I would rather wait alone, away from forced conversation. The final descent begins.
Conversation stops-an overwhelming silence.
We listen to the mission controllers as they call out each event. After years of waiting, hoping, guessing, the end rushes toward us-too fast to reflect, too fast to understand. We have touchdown. Amazingly, it worked. Everywhere people are cheering, shaking hands, embracing.