The most advanced parachute system ever developed for Mars landings has passed a critical high-altitude Earth test, safely decelerating a replica ExoMars landing module. The system, featuring the largest parachute ever tested for extraterrestrial use, was deployed from 29 km above Sweden's Arctic Circle using a helium balloon launched from the Esrange Space Center on July 7.
The test simul by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jul 22, 2025
The most advanced parachute system ever developed for Mars landings has passed a critical high-altitude Earth test, safely decelerating a replica ExoMars landing module. The system, featuring the largest parachute ever tested for extraterrestrial use, was deployed from 29 km above Sweden's Arctic Circle using a helium balloon launched from the Esrange Space Center on July 7.
The test simulated conditions in the thin martian atmosphere by matching the expected descent speed and low air density. The module experienced a 20-second free-fall before deploying a pair of parachutes in sequence. "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," said Luca Ferracina, ESA's Entry Descent and Landing Module system engineer.
The ExoMars descent module must slow from 21,000 km/h to a safe landing in just six minutes. This complex deceleration is achieved through a thermal shield, two main parachutes (each with its own pilot chute), and a retro-rocket system activated shortly before touchdown. The first 15 m-wide parachute slows the craft at supersonic speeds, while a second 35 m-wide chute completes the final descent.
John Underwood, principal engineer at UK-based Vorticity, explained, "Using two parachutes allows us to design a strong, medium-sized parachute to decelerate the probe through supersonic speeds and then a much larger, lightweight parachute for the final descent." The second parachute, formed from ring segments, spans over 800 square meters and includes more than 4 km of suspension lines. Folding it takes three days and must be done with extreme precision.
Originally validated for Mars in 2021, the parachutes had been in storage after delays caused by geopolitical events. The recent test campaign verified their continued reliability. Ferracina added, "We are running this campaign to confirm our readiness for Mars, and to verify that the parachutes are still performing as expected after the long storage."
Weighing just 40 grams per square meter, the parachute fabric is lighter than ordinary paper. The high-altitude test also allowed engineers to recover the parachutes and collect detailed telemetry and high-speed video for analysis. "Testing on Earth has the advantage that we can obtain much more data and recover the parachutes for inspection after the test," noted Underwood.
European expertise played a central role in the system's development. Components were produced across the continent, including deployment mortars from the Netherlands, parachutes from Italy, and containers from Czechia. Thales Alenia Space in France led the campaign overseeing the parachute assembly.
Related Links
ExoMars at ESA
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more