Mars landing robot loses contact with Earth

The European Space Agency (ESA) has not received a signal confirming the successful landing on the surface of Mars from the Schiaparelli probe.

Simulation of the landing process of the Schiaparelli robot. Photo: ESA.

The ExoMars 2016 mission team lost contact with Schiaparelli during its descent to the Martian surface, according to the International Business Times. After separating from the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), Schiaparelli was attracted by Mars' gravity and transitioned from hibernation to landing readiness. ESA scientists confirmed that Schiaparelli successfully performed the above steps from the Giant Meter-wave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune, India.

To land successfully, Schiaparelli must endure extreme temperatures as it descends before deploying its parachute to slow down. The robot detaches from its protective heat shield and fires its three landing thrusters. These are programmed to shut down just before the robot touches down to avoid burning up the ground.

The signal from Mars took just over 9 minutes to reach Earth. However, the team in charge did not receive the signal from Schiaparelli and they are waiting for the telescope to pick up the signal emitted by the robot. ESA will update information about the mission at a press conference held at 3:00 p.m. today, Vietnam time.

"Initial signals from the GMRT indicate that Schiaparelli has touched down on the surface of Mars, but there has been no confirmation of landing. This was expected due to the very weak signals from the GMRT. We will assess the situation further after Mars Express transmits a record of Schiaparelli's landing," ESA said.

The Schiaparelli robot is being used to test lander technology ahead of ESA's planned 2020 ExoMars mission to search for signs of past and present life on the red planet.

According to VNE