Mars doesn't have enough atmosphere to land something on (a reasonably sized) parachute. To give you an idea: it's 0,6% compared to Earth at sea level.

Perhaps the sudden death thing could be made 'optional' to please everyone?
As long as you can still progress in the game without having to rely on savegames (that's also not realistic) or a lot of luck, I'm in favor of it.

See attached, it's possible, but it's a very small area.
The distance indicator gives you 0.0 m on various other places on the rock too.

Also you have to say "open sesame!" 3 times.
Looks to me like a bug.

I crached too. But if you ALT+TAB you get the compression menu which you can cancel and the game continues.