Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

The ExoMars 2016 Schiaparelli module in Baikonur.
Credit: TsENKI via ESA

The European Space Agency’s ExoMars 2016 mission has drawn closer to the Red Planet – both the Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli entry, descent and landing craft are now at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

ExoMars 2016’s launch window via Russian Proton booster is approaching, opening on March 14^th until March 25^th.

The 1,323 pound (600 kilograms) Schiaparelli will ride to Mars attached to the Trace Gas Orbiter.

Landing module

Three days before the space mission reaches the Red Planet, Schiaparelli will separate from the orbiter that’s equipped to carry out a five-year tour-of-duty circling the Red Planet. The orbiter is equipped to study atmospheric gases potentially linked to present-day biological or geological activity.

The landing module is named in honor of the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, who mapped the Red Planet’s surface features in the 19th century.

Schiaparelli will enter the Martian atmosphere slowing in speed by aerobraking, then deploying a parachute, followed by liquid-propellant thrusters that will brake the craft further just above the surface of Mars.

At that moment, the vehicle’s thrusters turn off and Schiaparelli will drop to the ground. Its impact will be cushioned by a built-in crushable structure.

The entry, descent and landing demonstrator module, Schiaparelli, is part of ESA’s ExoMars 2016 mission. Schiaparelli is shown in its surface configuration after descent through the Martian atmosphere.
Credit: ESA/ATG medialab

Meridiani Planum targeted

Entry to landing is less than eight minutes, with Schiaparelli targeted for touchdown in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars.

Scientific sensors on Schiaparelli will collect data on the atmosphere during entry and descent, and others devices are to make local measurements at the landing site for a short period determined by its battery capacity.

Schiaparelli will remain a target for laser ranging from orbiters using a reflector carried onboard the landing module.