The moment of truth: Europe's Schiaparelli robot prepares to land on Mars today in a DUST STORM: VIDEO
The moment of truth: Europe's Schiaparelli robot prepares to land on Mars today in a DUST STORM
A small robot probe could make history by becoming the first European spacecraft to survive a landing on Mars.
The spacecraft is controlled from the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany. After a descent lasting
a nail-biting six minutes (inset left and top right), the 2.4m-wide (8ft) disc-shaped lander will briefly fire its retro rockets before belly flopping on to a plain near the Martian equator (right) at 3.48pm UK time.
The main engine burn will be starting at 14:05 BST (09:05 ET) today, and will be live-streamed
Atmospheric entry is expected at 15:42 BST (10:42 ET) and landing will be at 15:48 BST (10:48 ET)
Schiaparelli will enter the atmosphere at an altitude of about 75 miles and a speed of nearly 13,000 mph
The entire entry, descent and landing sequence will be complete in less than six minutes, Esa has said
By ABIGAIL BEALL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 08:01 GMT, 19 October 2016 | UPDATED: 11:00 GMT, 19 October 2016
A small robot probe could make history today by becoming the first European spacecraft to survive a landing on Mars - and it is likely to be a bumpy ride.
Scientists will be crossing their fingers as Schiaparelli flies itself on autopilot through the Martian atmosphere, which is expected to welcome the probe with stormy weather.
After a descent lasting six minutes, the 2.4m-wide (8ft) disc-shaped lander will briefly fire its retro rockets before belly flopping on to a plain near the Martian equator at 3.48pm BST (10:48 ET).
The probe will take images of Mars and conduct scientific measurements on the surface, but its main purpose is to test technology for a future European Mars rover.
