ExoMars and Schiaparelli

[MartG]

ESA's ExoMars orbiter and Schiaparelli lander are due to arrive at Mars over the weekend - event schedule is in the link below

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Ex...

[Simpo Two]

'The primary goal of the ExoMars programme is to address the question of whether life has ever existed on Mars.'

Ha, that old chestnut. The answer will be 'maybe'.

[jmorgan]

Landing today then.

[MartG]

jmorgan said:

Landing today then.

TGO Mars orbit insertion and Schiaparelli entry, descent and landing on Mars (atmospheric entry expected 14:42 GMT / 16:42 CEST, landing 14:48 GMT / 16:48 CEST)

[Eric Mc]

Live broadcast

http://livestream.com/ESA/exomarssocialtv

[Eric Mc]

Hmm - not convinced everything is going to plan at the moment. They've just ended the broadcast and will be back in an hour.

[V8A*ndy]

Eric Mc said:

Hmm - not convinced everything is going to plan at the moment. They've just ended the broadcast and will be back in an hour.

It's Italian what possibly could go wrong.

[p1stonhead]

http://exploration.esa.int/mars/49139-aerothermody...

[Eric Mc]

Didn't realise anyone had put up fences on Mars yet.

[Gandahar]

Eric Mc said:

Didn't realise anyone had put up fences on Mars yet.

Bloody EU immigrants ! Getting everywhere

[Gandahar]

They always have a LOS, loss of signal, just to get you on the edge of your seat.

[Gandahar]

1. GMRT signal increase indicated @ESA_EDM is now on its main antenna, flying free from the parachute #ExoMars

by now it should have landed but due to speed of light .....

Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 19th October 16:01

[prand]

Impressed ESA have moved on so quickly from Philae and rosetta.

Impressive years for them.

I love the space stuff recently.

[Gandahar]

Looks like a success

[Soov535]

Really??! The small frenchman is agitated.

[Soov535]

World's most expensive bullet.

Edited by Soov535 on Wednesday 19th October 16:14

[MartG]

Not looking good

"Displays in mission control indicate the antenna in Pune, India, lost Schiaparelli's carrier signal at some point in the final moments of descent. The lander was programmed to switch off its transmitter to conserve power a few minutes after landing.

Simultaneous with its critical orbit insertion burn, the Trace Gas Orbiter was recording telemetry from Schiaparelli as it entered the Martian atmosphere, and should be able to play back the data to Earth once its engine firing is complete and the craft emerges from behind Mars."

[Eric Mc]

Sounds like they haven't received confirmation that the lander has landed successfully. My hunch is that it hasn't.

[MartG]

Why do they keep cutting to that blonde just as the other presenter is imparting some useful information ? :/

[Soov535]

Eric Mc said:

Sounds like they haven't received confirmation that the lander has landed successfully. My hunch is that it hasn't.

Regrettably I think you are right