Camera Schiaparelli is a so-called module demo. His main task was to test the technology, which the European Space Agency (ESA) wanted to apply for four years when landing on Mars the ExoMars Rover. Schiaparelli on Mars arrived on Board spacecraft Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), which orbits the red planet, the task to study carefully the composition of its atmosphere. In the process of landing Schiaparelli, the probe TGO was supposed to be a relay, with which the Earth was supposed to receive signals from the lander.
Mileage landing was supposed to look like the following: entering the Martian atmosphere at speeds of 21,000 km/h precipitation started braking using nacierające to cover the boat more and more layers of gas. After you have slowed down, at a height of approx. 10 km dropped off a large parachute, which is still more I had to slow down his fall.
the most Interesting things began to happen at the height of 1 km above the surface of Mars. There, from under the descending capsule was disconnect the right lambda, which was to continue braking with the use of rocket engines. At a height of 2 m probe was to stop to zero will turn off the engines and hung limply at a speed of approx. 15 km/h.
the Signal from the lander was to be transmitted experimentally by using TGO real-time radio telescope in India. Weak signals were received on Earth at all stages of planting to the time of descent on a parachute. Then the probe fell silent.
Break contact with lądownikiem was not supposed to mean the failure of the mission. Could happen that the gap was only a connection between Schiaparelli and comes just on its first orbit around Mars orbiterem TGO. Hence the attempt to transfer the landing “live” was a kind of experiment, which should not go. So ready was waiting for the other probes.
At the time of landing at the correct position was krążąca probe Mars Express around Mars for decades. The probe did not fit, however, signal live and after landing sent data written directly on the Ground. The effect was the same: probe “heard” lądującego Schiaparelliego but contact with them was lost during descent on a parachute.
later over the landing site przelatywała the American probe Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Data from this probe will be in the centre of the control flight in the night.
One possible scenario is the one saying that the device failed communications system. Despite this, landed safely, and signals its operation will be registered in the next few hours. The second possibility is a little less delightful. Camera damaged and crashed on the surface of the red planet.
it is Difficult, however, to speak about the defeat in the mission, during which the main goal was to test the landing system. The probe TRO against signal loss the lifeboat took the package approx 20 MB of data telemetry. Their thorough analysis, are likely to determine the cause of the loss of communication and will allow to avoid such errors for the ExoMars Rover in 2020.
the Design of the lander allows for a few days of work. Later radioizotopowy reactor thermoelectric end. Then Schiaparelli would remain dormant forever.
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