Mars science laboratory Curiosity set for lift off

[popeyespappy]

I understand what you’re saying Chuck but….

“There’s too much atmosphere on Mars to land heavy vehicles like we do on the moon, using propulsive technology completely,” said Manning, “and there’s too little atmosphere to land like we do on Earth. So, it’s in this ugly, grey zone.”

What works on the moon or on Earth doesn’t necessarily work on Mars. Thus the complicated Sky Crane solution. It may not be the best solution possible, but I’ll bet it was the solution with the best chance of success a bunch of very smart people with expertise in the field could come up with at the time this probe was being designed.