Schiaparelli EDM
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| Schiaparelli EDM | |
|---|---|
| Name | Schiaparelli EDM |
| Mission type | Mars lander |
| Operator | European Space Agency (ESA) |
| Manufacturer | Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch date | 14 March 2016 |
| Launch rocket | Proton-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome |
| Mission duration | 3 days (planned) |
| Landing date | 19 October 2016 (crash) |
| Landing site | Meridiani Planum |
| Spacecraft | Entry, Descent, and Landing Demonstrator Module |
| Programme | ExoMars programme |
Schiaparelli EDM. The Schiaparelli Entry, Descent, and Landing Demonstrator Module was a component of the ExoMars programme, a joint endeavor between the European Space Agency and Roscosmos. Its primary purpose was to demonstrate European technologies for controlled descent and landing on the surface of Mars. Although the module successfully entered the Martian atmosphere and performed most of its descent sequence, a premature thruster shutdown led to a catastrophic crash landing.
Introduction
The Schiaparelli EDM was conceived as a critical technology demonstrator within the broader ExoMars programme, which aimed to search for signs of past life on the Red Planet. Named in honor of the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, the mission was designed to build European expertise in the complex entry, descent, and landing (EDL) phase, a major challenge for all Mars missions. Its development was led by the European Space Agency with significant contributions from member states, including Thales Alenia Space in Italy. The successful demonstration of its landing system was intended to pave the way for the subsequent ExoMars rover, named Rosalind Franklin.
Spacecraft Design
The Schiaparelli module was a disc-shaped vehicle, approximately 2.4 meters in diameter, with a mass of around 577 kilograms. Its design incorporated a front shield to withstand the intense heat of atmospheric entry and a rear cover containing a supersonic parachute. The core structure housed essential systems, including an inertial measurement unit, a Doppler radar altimeter, and a liquid propulsion system of nine thrusters for the final braking maneuver. Key components were tested in facilities like the Large Space Simulator at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. The module also carried a small, non-rechargeable battery and a basic science payload called the DREAMS package for surface operations.
Mission Objectives
The principal objective of the Schiaparelli EDM was to validate the complete EDL sequence for a future Mars lander, from atmospheric entry at hypersonic speed to touchdown on the Meridiani Planum region. Specific technological goals included testing the performance of its aeroshell, the deployment and inflation of its supersonic parachute, and the activation of its radar altimeter and guidance software during the final descent. While not a primary science mission, it carried the DREAMS instrument suite to measure local atmospheric conditions, including wind speed, humidity, and electric fields, for a few sols after landing.
Landing Site Selection
The landing site was chosen to be within the vast plain of Meridiani Planum, a region of scientific interest previously explored by NASA's Opportunity rover. This relatively flat and low-elevation area was selected to maximize the probability of a safe landing, providing ample space for the descent corridor. The selection process involved detailed analysis of orbital data from missions like the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and its HiRISE camera to assess terrain hazards such as rock abundance and slope. The final ellipse was located southwest of the Endeavour Crater.
Flight and Landing
Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Proton-M rocket, Schiaparelli traveled to Mars as part of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission. On 19 October 2016, the module separated and initiated its autonomous descent. Data relayed via the Trace Gas Orbiter and the Mars Express spacecraft confirmed successful entry, parachute deployment, and heat shield jettison. However, a fatal error occurred when the inertial measurement unit saturated, causing the onboard computer to mistakenly believe it had already landed while still several kilometers high. This led to an early release of the parachute and a brief, premature firing of the descent thrusters, resulting in a free fall and impact at high speed.
Investigation and Legacy
An independent inquiry board appointed by the European Space Agency concluded that the failure stemmed from a design flaw in the software managing the fusion of data between the inertial measurement unit and the radar altimeter. Despite the crash, the mission provided invaluable engineering data on the earlier phases of descent, which was analyzed by teams at the European Space Operations Centre. The lessons learned directly informed critical design changes for the landing system of the upcoming Rosalind Franklin rover, improving its chances for a successful touchdown. The Trace Gas Orbiter, which carried Schiaparelli to Mars, entered orbit successfully and continues its primary science mission, studying atmospheric gases like methane.
Category:ExoMars Category:Spacecraft launched in 2016 Category:Mars landers