"An estimated 2 billion people are glued to their screens on Earth to follow up real-time on our progress with a 3-minute 26-second signal delay. No pressure on my shoulders... Check, check, all systems nominal: we're GO for the powered braking manoeuvre. The point of no return. "The only indication that the burn has started is a slight tremor in my seat: the vacuum of space deafens the hellfire unleashed by the six Raptor engine bells. "Minutes later, the nose gradually swings around into the aerodynamic braking attitude. Olympus Mons should be visible shortly, our landing spot in the plains of Arcadia Planitia just beyond. Ionized gas gives a faint blue glow around my windows as we plunge through the thin Martian atmosphere with incredible speed. My hands tightly on the buffeting controls and a heightened sense of intuition. It's all or nothing now. "In fifteen minutes I'll either go down in history as the first to land on Mars or be known as that guy who screwed up his landing in front of a worldwide audience. Either way a monumental event." Back to reality and Christiaan and his fellow pilot prepare for another safe landing in their down-to-earth 747-400F. Christiaan is one of the world’s leading aviation photographers and more of his work and more close encounter (s) from his 747 can be found here.