About ESA's Rosalind Franklin (ExoMars 2030) Landing Architecture
The European Space Agency's ExoMars mission will deliver the Rosalind Franklin rover to Oxia Planum on Mars in 2030. The entry, descent, and landing architecture relies on a sequence of aerodynamic deceleration, supersonic parachute extraction, separation of the aerodynamic backshell, deployment and latching of crushable landing legs, and closed-loop Doppler-radar-guided retro-propulsion to ensure touchdown at under 2.0 m/s.
1. Hypersonic Entry & Heatshield
Enters Mars atmosphere at ~5.8 km/s. The frontal aeroshell dissipates >99% of kinetic energy before jettison at ~7.5 km.
2. Supersonic Parachute & Backshell
Main parachute deploys at supersonic Mach ~1.9. Backshell separation cleanly releases the descent platform from the canopy.
3. Landing Leg Tripod Latch
Qualified in recent ESA ground & drop tests: 3 articulating legs swing outward and lock into place with redundant mechanical latches.
4. Terminal Retro-Thrust Touchdown
Variable-thrust hydrazine engines decelerate the lander platform to 1.8 m/s, safely absorbing residual shock upon contact.