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Entry, descent and landing
 
Since two Aurora flagship missions will involve landing on the surface of Mars, it is necessary to develop the technologies needed to meet those drastic challenges. ExoMars will make use of the airbag technology that is still to be matured in Europe whilst Mars Sample Return and future manned missions will require to improve our understanding of high speed re-entry so as to enable a safe return of the Martian samples or of the crew on Earth.
 
Click on an activity below to read a summary of the purpose and scope of this activity. Where possible, the final summary report of any completed activities can be obtained here.  
 
ExoMars Specific

• Alternative descent and landing technologies
 
 
Mars Sample Return Specific

• Delta qualification testing of TPS ablators
• Multifunctional integrated structures based on hollow spheres
• Aerothermodynamics of aerocapture and high speed Earth re-entry
• Shock tube aerochemistry measurement techniques: development of high entry velocity chemical kinetics
• Plasma testing of heat shield concepts for high speed Earth entry
• Lightweight landing legs for MSR lander
 
 
Generic Exploration Technologies
 
 
Last update: 20 September 2005

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