OPENSPACE 22: Rosetta: Making Space History | Page 17

Artist’s impression of ExoMars’ landing demonstrator module Schiaparelli. Credit: ESA/ATG Medialab.
fired its thrusters for only a few seconds before falling to the ground from
an altitude of 2-4km and reaching the surface while travelling at more than
300km/h.
The latest images provided by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter indicated
that Schiaparelli dug a crater some 50 centimeters deep and about 2.4 meters
across when it hit the surface at a speed of more than 300km/h.
Before Schiapparelli switched off, the lander sent essential data to its
mothership that are currently being analyzed by ESA experts. “Schiaparelli’s
primary role was to test European landing technologies. Recording the data
during the descent was part of that, and it is important to learn what happened
in order to prepare for the future,” said Jan Wörner, ESA’s Director General.
“We are ready to
undertake really exciting
science in order to
understand the origins
and the distribution of
trace gases in Mars.”
Additionally, the TGO will be used as a data-relay point for the second ExoMars
mission, which is expected to launch in 2020 and will deliver a rover to the
surface of Mars. “The cornerstone for ExoMars 2016 is in place. We are ready
to undertake really exciting science in order to understand the origins and
David Parker
ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight
and Robotic Exporation
the distribution of trace gases in Mars,” said David Parker, ESA’s Director of
Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration.
October - December 2016 17