The "Backshell" - Sol 6

Caption NASA:"During the Entry, Descent and Landing phase of the mission, the final step is the separation of the Lander and it's surrounding Airbags from the Backshell. The conical Backshell above the Lander contains 3 solid rocketmotors each providing about a ton of force for over 2". They are activated by the computer in the Lander. Electrical wires that run up the bridle close relays in the Backshell which ignite the 3 rockets at the same instant. The brief firing of the solid rocketmotors at an altitude of 80-100 meters is intended to essentially bring the downward movement of the Lander to a halt some 12 meters above the Surface. The bridle separating the Lander and Heat-Shield is then cut in the Lander, resulting in the Backshell driving up and into the Parachute under the residual impulse of the rockets, while the Lander, encased in airbags, falls to the Surface. The Backshell is to the S/E of the Lander, and in front and to the left of "Big Crater".