Daily Archives: October 21, 2016

Schiaparelli Mars lander hit the planet hard — and possibly exploded.

NPR the two-way: Schiaparelli Mars Lander May Have Exploded On Impact, European Agency Says.

“”Estimates are that Schiaparelli dropped from a height of between 2 and 4 kilometers, therefore impacting at a considerable speed, greater than 300 km/h [186 mph]. The relatively large size of the feature would then arise from disturbed surface material. It is also possible that the lander exploded on impact, as its thruster propellant tanks were likely still full.””