If we launch the rovers and there was a dust storm on Mars chances are the dust storm would be over by the time we got there. Now if we get there and there is a dust storm we can still land all right unless we happen to get the front of the dust storm, but that is very unlikely. We can actually survive going into a dust storm and land on the surface. If there is a dust storm after we land than we may have to sit through it for a few days and wait until it is over.
Joy Crisp
Project Scientists
Mars Exploration Rovers Mission