Why might the engineers who worked on curiosity have felt terror as they watched it land?

The engineers who worked on the CuriOSity rover likely felt terror during its landing due to the high stakes involved in the complex, seven-minute descent referred to as "seven minutes of terror." Any failure during this critical phase could result in the loss of years of work, investment, and scientific opportunity. Additionally, the intricate and untested landing sequence, which involved a sky crane maneuver, introduced uncertainties that added to their anxiety. Ultimately, the success of the mission depended on precise execution in a hostile environment, heightening their emotional stakes.