BBC Focus

OCTOBER 2016

JOURNEY TO MARS

Heatshield

protects

lander

Parachute

deploys

Front shield separates

Thruster ignition

Landing thrusters

Touchdown

Earth at arrival

Earth at

launch

Mars at arrival

Mars at launch

Trajectory

Retroreflectors

Used as targets

for Mars orbiters

to laser-locate

the module

UHF antenna

Provides link

to TGO

Scientific

instruments

DREAMS

sensors

Distance:

143,000km

SCHIAPARELLI LANDER

Schiaparelli’s main purpose is to demonstrate Mars-

landing technology. It is expected to survive only a few

days on the surface, running off its internal batteries. The

little lander is 1.65m in diameter and weighs just 600kg.

Schiaparelli has instruments to measure wind speed,

pressure, temperature and electric fields.

At an altitude of 7km, the

heat shield separates

and the landing radar is

switched on

Slows for landing

on Mars surface

Will measure

the local

Martian

weather

ILLUSTRATION: ACUTE GRAPHICS