They really launched this tiny spacecraft (Well, sort of.)
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A small robot figurine peeks out from a miniature ExoMars capsule. | Credit: ESA – A. Conigli
This tiny capsule was just fired from a cannon at more than 2,600 mph (4,200 km/h).
Although miniature, this space capsule is not a toy. This is part of a rigorous testing process on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). ExoMars assignment.
What is this?
ESA is developing a landing module, officially called the Entry, Descent and Landing Module (EDLM), for its ExoMars mission, which will carry the The Rosalind Franklin rover on the Martian surface. This mission is expected to launch in 2028.
To ensure the EDLM is ready to launch into space and land on MarchThe mission team launched 20 of these tiny capsule models to Earth. The small, 3-inch-wide capsules were fired from a cannon at more than 2,600 mph, nearly four times the speed. speed of sound.
These “micro-launchs,” as I informally call them, mimicked the aerodynamics a Martian capsule would experience as it careens across the globe. Martian atmosphere at supersonic speeds.
Each of these 20 mini capsules launched while equipped with electronic circuits monitored their flight. During their nearly 755-foot (230-meter) flights, the capsules captured important data about their acceleration, motion, trajectory and stability. according to the ESA.
Why is this amazing?
These miniature space capsules look like toys, but in these tests they withstood almost 17,000 g of acceleration.
The small robot figurine in this image and the reddish Martian dirt underneath make the capsule look like a novelty toy display. But as cute as the mini capsule is, it does an important job.
It’s no small feat to launch something onto another planet and have it survive the arduous journey downward through that world’s atmosphere, while keeping the delicate instruments inside intact.
ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover aims to search for signs of ancient life on Marsand to do so, it must remain protected from the extreme elements of spaceflight by EDLM. And these cute, weird little pods are helping us, thanks to the data they generate during their lightning-fast micro-launchs.
