ExoMars Parachutes Successfully Tested for Martian Mission

In a significant milestone for the ExoMars mission, the European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully completed high-altitude drop tests of its parachute systems, essential for the safe landing of the Rosalind Franklin rover on Mars. Conducted on July 7, 2025, at the Swedish Space Corporation's Esrange Space Center, the tests utilized a stratospheric helium balloon to release a dummy descent module from an altitude of nearly 30 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, simulating the unique conditions of the Martian atmosphere.

According to Luca Ferracina, ESA's ExoMars Entry Descent and Landing Module system engineer, "We are happy to confirm that we have a parachute design that can work on Mars – an ambitious system with the largest parachute ever to be flown outside Earth." The drop test is critical in confirming the parachute's performance, as the parachutes must deploy effectively amidst the thin Martian atmosphere, which is only about 1% as dense as Earth's.

The parachute system is designed to manage the descent module's deceleration from a staggering 21,000 kilometers per hour to a gentle landing. This requires a combination of a thermal shield, two main parachutes, each equipped with its own pilot chute, and a retro-rocket propulsion system activated just before touchdown. John Underwood, principal engineer at Vorticity, the UK company responsible for the parachute design, explained that the use of two parachutes allows for a robust medium-sized parachute to handle supersonic speeds and a larger parachute for the final descent. The first main parachute measures 15 meters in diameter, while the second is an impressive 35 meters wide, making it the largest parachute ever designed for a Mars mission.

The parachutes are constructed from ultra-light fabric, with a density of approximately 40 grams per square meter, significantly lighter than standard materials. This careful design is crucial, as the parachutes must be meticulously folded into their deployment bags to ensure successful deployment during the descent. The parachute system tested in Sweden had previously been qualified for flight to Mars back in 2021 but had been put on hold due to geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ferracina stated, "We are running this campaign to confirm our readiness for Mars and to verify that the parachutes are still performing as expected after long storage."

Telemetry data was collected in real-time during the drop, and the Vorticity team will analyze this data alongside high-speed video footage to assess the deceleration profile and inflation models. The majority of the parachute system has been developed in Europe, with contributions from various countries, including the Netherlands, Italy, and Czechia. Thales Alenia Space in France oversaw the test campaign, responsible for the parachute assembly system.

The ExoMars mission, which aims to search for signs of past life on Mars, is set to become a landmark event in space exploration. As the mission approaches its launch window, the successful testing of the parachute system underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in overcoming the challenges of interplanetary travel. With the tests confirming the viability of the parachutes, ESA is one step closer to achieving a successful landing of the Rosalind Franklin rover on the Martian surface, a feat that would mark a new chapter in the exploration of our neighboring planet.