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Both incredibly robust and sensitive, this small metallic capsule hosts a range of sensors that collected data as it blasted off at 4300 km per hour. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The scaled-down version of the ExoMars landing module measures just 8 cm in diameter compared to the actual\u202f3.8 metre\u202fspacecraft that will carry the Rosalind Franklin rover\u00a0to the Red Planet.\u00a0To illustrate the scale, the robot figurine is pictured alongside the capsule on martian-like terrain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The mini capsule is one of 20 models launched during a test campaign that mimicked the aerodynamics of a Mars atmospheric entry\u202fat supersonic speeds last year. A robust, miniaturised piece of technology, it can withstand almost 17 000 g-force of acceleration. This is roughly 11 000 times greater than the acceleration experienced by a Formula 1 driver at full throttle and far beyond what most electronics can survive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Each\u202fmodel carried electronics circuits to monitor its 230-metre\u202fflight path, including magnetometers, accelerometers and radar to analyse the capsule\u2019s movement, trajectory and stability during the free-flight\u202fexperiment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tiny replica of the ExoMars descent module darted from a smooth-bore gun faster than a speeding bullet. In the blink of an eye, all sensors began recording data, while specialised tracking technology allowed cameras to follow the incredibly fast object throughout its entire flight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This video<\/u> has been slowed down 60 times \u2013 the actual flight lasted just half a second.\u202f\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tests\u202fprovided critical data on how the spacecraft would behave\u202fduring\u202fentry into the\u202fmartian atmosphere.\u202fFollowing a two-year\u202fjourney to the Red Planet<\/u>,\u202fthe ExoMars descent module will\u202fapproach Mars\u202fat\u202fa speed of 21 000 km per hour, relying on heat\u202fshields, parachutes and retro rockets to land safely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u202ftests\u202ftook place at the\u202fFrench-German\u202fResearch Institute\u202fof\u202fSaint-Louis (ISL<\/u>),\u202fa leading research centre\u202fwith\u202ffacilities\u202ffor\u202finvestigating\u202fthe aerodynamics of vehicles such as reentry\u202fcapsules.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n