The European Space Agency (ESA) is on the verge of landing its first project on Mars when its Schiaparelli capsule lost its footing and impacted the Red Planet's ground. The failure has kept NASA in the bad light following rumors of the US Space Administration's involvement in a possible sabotage.
Based on Mars's surface photos, there is reason to believe that what caused the Lander incident is an explosion. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows a dark smear on the planet's surface which are believed to be a cloud of smoke. Experts observe that this fuzzy trail signifies a crash.
It is perceived that the ESA's Schiaparelli capsule blew up together with its fuel tanks. The plunge may have been immediate considering that the retrorockets, which were needed to slow the touchdown, fired only for a short time before eventually switching off.
Data taken from the capsule's mother ship, the Trace Gas Orbiter, unveil that the nine thrusters fired for less than five seconds only which was not enough to merit a proper landing. The moment the burners went silent, the capsule gets into a free fall from a two to four kilometer height. It later plunges at around 300 km or 186 miles per hour.
In a statement, the ESA also thinks that the thruster propellant tanks contributed to the strong burst considering that the containers are still full.
It is unfortunate to know that ESA's historic Mars project did not find its proper bearing at the last minute. Although a parachute is in place to assist the Schiaparelli's descent, the equipment has been released ahead of the probe's final landing procedures.
According to ExoMars project scientist Jorge Vago, it is essential that the entire group address the incident as a team. With lots of information available, it will just be a matter of time before a full explanation is released.
A dark spot on the Martian surface signifies that the Schiaparelli exploded around five kilometers west from its landing area but still within range of the 100 x 15 kilometer landing loop it was targeting.
