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Tag: Schiaparelli (ExoMars)

  • Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars in real time

    Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars in real time

    Visualisation of the ExoMars Schiaparelli module entering and descending through the atmosphere to land on Mars. The animation follows a simulated timeline of the module, starting when it enters the atmosphere at an altitude of 121 km at 14:42 GMT. In six minutes it will use a heatshield, parachute and thrusters to brake from 21 000 km/h to a near standstill 2 m above the surface, where a crushable structure on its underside will absorb the final shock.

    The key operational milestones are highlighted in the animation at the predicted times at which they have been calculated to occur. However, the actual times may vary depending on the atmospheric conditions on the day, the final path through the atmosphere and the speed at which the module descends.

    The times indicated in the animation are onboard spacecraft times at Mars. The one-way signal travel time on 19 October is just under 10 minutes, meaning that signals relayed by spacecraft at Mars are received on Earth about 10 minutes after the event itself has happened on the Red Planet.

    Both Schiaparelli and the Mars scenery in this animation are computer-generated.

  • Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars

    Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars

    Visualisation of the ExoMars Schiaparelli module entering and descending through the martian atmosphere to land on Mars.

    Schiaparelli will enter the atmosphere at about 21 000 km/h and in less than six minutes it will use a heatshield, a parachute and thrusters to slow its descent before touching down in the Meridiani Planum region close to the equator, absorbing the final contact with a crushable structure.

    The entire process will take less than six minutes: the animation has been sped up.

    Schiaparelli is set to separate from the Trace Gas Orbiter on 16 October, after a seven-month cruise together through space, and will enter the atmosphere on 19 October at 14:42 GMT.

    For an overview of the key timings and altitudes corresponding to the events portrayed in this animation see the Schiaparelli descent sequence graphic: http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2016/02/ExoMars_2016_Schiaparelli_descent_sequence_16_9

    Both Schiaparelli and the Mars scenery in this animation were computer generated.

    More about ExoMars:
    http://www.esa.int/exomars

    ExoMars FAQ:
    http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_frequently_asked_questions

  • ExoMars 2016 arriving at Mars

    ExoMars 2016 arriving at Mars

    The paths of the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Schiaparelli entry, descent and landing demonstrator module arriving at Mars on 19 October (right and left, respectively). The counter begins at the start of a critical engine burn that TGO must conduct in order to enter Mars orbit. The altitude above Mars is also indicated, showing the arrival of Schiaparelli on the surface and the subsequent trajectory of TGO. The orbiter’s initial 4-day orbit will be about 250 x 100 000 km. Starting in December 2016, the spacecraft will perform a series of aerobraking manoeuvres to steadily lower it into a circular, 400 km orbit (not shown here).

    More about the ExoMars mission:
    http://www.esa.int/exomars

    Credits: ESA/ATG medialab

  • ExoMars 2016 journey to Mars

    ExoMars 2016 journey to Mars

    The journey that the ExoMars 2016 spacecraft will take from Earth to Mars. ‘Distance to Mars’ is the straight-line distance between the spacecraft and Mars, and not the actual distance that the spacecraft will travel.

    The mission is scheduled for launch in the 14–25 March window. The Trace Gas Orbiter and the Schiaparelli entry, descent and landing demonstrator module will separate on 16 October. Schiaparelli is set to enter the martian atmosphere on 19 October, while TGO will enter orbit around Mars.

    More about the ExoMars mission:
    http://www.esa.int/exomars

    Credits: ESA/ATG medialab

  • ExoMars 2016: launch to Mars

    ExoMars 2016: launch to Mars

    Animation visualising milestones during the launch of the ExoMars 2016 mission and its cruise to Mars. The mission comprises the Trace Gas Orbiter and an entry, descent and landing demonstrator module, Schiaparelli, which are scheduled to be launched on a four-stage Proton-M/Breeze-M rocket from Baikonur during the 14–25 March 2016 window.

    About ten-and-a-half hours after launch, the spacecraft will separate from the rocket and deploy its solar wings. Two weeks later, its high-gain antenna will be deployed. After a seven-month cruise to Mars, Schiaparelli will separate from TGO on 16 October. Three days later it will enter the martian atmosphere, while TGO begins its entry into Mars orbit.