The European Space Agency (ESA) is about to make history as its landing vessel inches closer to the Red Planet's surface. But by the time its communication link came back online, the Mars lander has been damaged upon impact.
An initial inquiry has divulged that the on-board system of the Schiaparelli probe miscalculated on the exact distance of the vessel from the surface of the planet. It has been assumed that the pod is close to landing when in fact it was still around 3.7 km or 2.29 miles from the surface.
The technical problem has instigated a carry-over effect that resulted with the probe plunging into Mars at 335 mph or 540 kph. Experts believe that things went according to plan except during the part where communication error suddenly kicks in.
In a statement, the ESA has pointed out that early execution of procedures related to landing caused the eventual destruction of the Schiaparelli. Among the mechanisms that manifested early on are the release of the parachute and the back cover, the shortened firing of the brake thrusters and the initiation of the on-ground computer system which assumed that the pod has already hit ground.
After the recovering the probe's data, European space officials and personnel manage to simulate the events leading to the unfortunate incident.
The space vessel, which was named after Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, is a key aspect of the ExoMars venture. Its affiliate craft, the Trace Gas Orbiter, has reached the Red Planet's orbit back in October.
Roberto Battiston, President of Italy's ASI space agency, shares that the ExoMars is essential to the European scientific exploration.
ESA will be looking towards the next stage of its mission in 2018 when the orbiter will begin tracking the source of methane gas on Mars. Considering that the compound is a key sign of life, the Trace Gas craft will search for clues about methane production.
ESA's Mars touchdowns have all been disappointments. Prior to the Schiaparelli, the UK-manufactured Beagle 2 also plummeted to its ruin in 2003. Still, the European space unit believes that the letdown will contribute to their future design programs.
According to David Parker, ESA's Director of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration, the Schiaparelli will be helpful in the next ExoMars mission.
