The physics of a 21,000 km/h braking maneuver on another planet
In short: Experience the precise sequence required to land a spacecraft on Mars. This visualization tracks the ExoMars Schiaparelli module as it transitions from hypersonic speeds to a soft landing, illustrating the complex engineering behind planetary exploration.
The animation simulates the final descent of the Schiaparelli module, beginning at an altitude of 121 km. Over a six-minute window, the craft must shed immense velocity—dropping from 21,000 km/h to nearly zero—using a coordinated sequence of a heatshield, parachute, and thrusters.
The final touchdown is managed by a crushable structure designed to absorb the remaining shock just 2 meters above the surface. Because signals take nearly 10 minutes to travel from Mars to Earth, this visualization provides a real-time perspective on milestones that occur in isolation from human observation.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars in real time
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