3, 2, 1 ... launch.

The landing module separated from the spacecraft and headed toward the red planet that was clearly visible right in front of them. The crew was ready to land. Finally! After a long time.

Everyone was looking forward and was in tension at the same time. Like not, they will be the first people ever to land on Mars. Children and adults of several generations have dreamed of this moment. And finally, a part of astronauts should become reality.

"This is Anne Holloway, mission commander, Albert, can you hear me?"

There was no answer from the radio.

"Tom, what's happening, why do not we hear Albert?"

Operator Tom Lee tried to put the receiver into operation, tried to change the signal setting, but the answer still did not come.

"I do not understand, Commander. The radio is not working properly, but the setting is definitely good. We checked him before leaving with Albert, and there was nothing to suggest complications," the nervous Tom replied.

"Sergei, it looks like the landing will be on you if Tom can’t get it started."

"I understand, Commander. It won’t be a problem, I know the procedure and I have already hundreds of landings. True, not in Mars atmosphere, but we have simulated it many times."

"What's the course, Mick?"

"Right, ideal for entering the atmosphere. Sergei, keep it," said Navigator Mick Jackson.

"I understand," Sergei confirmed. Sergei was one of the most experienced space flight pilots at all, and he did not allow any complications.

Landing module with crew

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Landing is very complicated, so far only seven automatic probes have been able to land on Mars. The others didn’t have such luck and either burned in the atmosphere or crashed uncontrollably.

The atmosphere on Mars is smoother than Earth, so it is necessary to use three different landing systems.

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The first step was the entrance into the atmosphere itself. The module jerked it at the ideal angle as Sergei set it up and how Albert had calculated before.

The angle for entering the atmosphere is only 1.1 degrees wide, if the landing module flies into the atmosphere in a higher or lower degree, that might have a catastrophic consequence. It could burn in the atmosphere or bounce back into the orbit. Fortunately, Albert's calculations were perfect.

During the whole braking manoeuver lasting 7 minutes, you need to practically stop. This is a very challenging task, as the speed of entering the atmosphere is 6.1 km / s, which is 22,000 km / h.

"I'm a bit hot," Tom said.

"The temperature of the heat shield reached 1750 ° C," Sergei responded to Tom's comment. "Speed is decreasing. Height 45 km."

"Open braking supersonic parachutes," Anne ordered.

"Parachutes open, our speed will be reduced to 1700 km / h in a moment."

The timing of the opening of the parachutes is crucial, in case of delay or damage, the mission would be a disaster. However, due to the sparse atmosphere on Mars, the braking effect is not as effective as, for example, on Earth.

"Commander, I have a problem with shield, it’s not ready for some reason. I don’t understand it, I can’t manually throw it away," Sergei became very nervous.

If the shield fails to drop, it would be a big haze in the landing stage for the crew due to the failure of the radar.

"You have to throw it away while we have parachutes, then it will be too late!"

"I know, but it’s not working," Sergei tried to release the shield repeatedly by pressing the button.

"The throwing of the heat shield now!" said Albert's voice suddenly. Thanks to it, the radar uncovered a view of the terrain beneath them, allowing it to start collecting altitude and descent speed data.

"Uf, it was tight!" Sergei fell out of his heart, this situation happened to him once in a test flight, but the heat shield eventually dropped out. But it was extra in the simulator. Here the consequences would be disastrous!

Crater Schiaparelli, crew landing ground

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"Albert, what's going on? How come we hear from you again?" asked Anne.

"The error was on your receiver, I tried to communicate with you all the time, but I didn’t get any response."

"Most importantly, we've got you back. How does it look like height?"

"You're on schedule, I'll turn the braking motors in 15 seconds."

"Braking motors on, now!"

The knowledge of the exact location of the landing gear that the devices provide on board is important for effective use of the brake motors. Albert took care of the ideal timing. If it was upon the crew, specifically on Sergei, there was a chance they would turn them on too early or too late.

Landing of the module

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When the module reached the surface of Mars, Commander Anne called into the microphone:
"We've done the Minutes of Fear." That's exactly how the experts call those 7 minutes of landing, where the success or failure of billions of dollars is decided.

"How do you feel about it, crew?" asked Anne.

The first reaction came from Mick: "1000x worse than bungee jumping, Commander! Thank god it's already behind us!"

"I even hit Schiaparelli," Sergey smiled.

Anne brightened and gave him a smooth look: "Welcome to the Mars, crew!"

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Photo sources: 12,3,4

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