3 techniques for a soft landing
The landing is the most critical part of a mission to Mars. The method to be used depends on whether the cargo is robust, mechanical, or of flesh and blood. So, aerospace engineers have several methods for landing crafts, equipment, and astronauts safely.
1 AIRBAGS CUSHION FREE FALL FROM 12 M
In the case of light and robust cargos such as provisions, customized airbags are enough to cushion the fall. 12 m above the surface, the parachute is disengaged. The airbags are made of Vectran fibres, which are about twice as strong as Kevlar and able to resist sharp stones and protruding rocks.
2 CRANE LOWERS HEAVY AND FRAGILE MARS ROVERS TO THE SURFACE
If the cargo is heavy and fragile, such as large rovers, engineers can use the skycrane. Shortly before landing, four powerful rockets are activated to keep the crane flying. Three 7.5-m-long nylon straps lower the cargo towards the surface. The rover unfolds its wheels and is carefully placed in the Martian dust. The crane disconnects and flies about 650 m away to crash.
3 Rocket-controlled landing to bring people to Mars
In 2018, the SpaceX rocketmaker will try to land its Red Dragon craft using rockets. It will be the first rocket-controlled landing on Mars and an important test prior to a manned Mars mission.
AThe craft enters the atmosphere at a speed of almost 22,000 km/h. Its course is adjusted by means of rocket nozzles and computer control – known as a guided entry. The result is an accurate landing.
BAir resistance will gradually reduce theRed Dragon’s speed as it descends. At a speed of some 2,700 km/h, eight SuperDraco rocket engines are activated, initiating a sudden slowdown. Capsule gets ready for landing
C40 m above the Martian surface, the rockets have slowed the Red Dragon down to a speed of about 8 km/h, which is similar to fast walking. The module slowly sinks towards the surface, landing on legs with integrated shock absorbers.