Tiny Mars Capsule Tests Big Mars Mission: ESA Validates ExoMars EDLM
ESA used 20 three‑inch micro‑capsules fired from a bore gun at about 2,600 mph to simulate entering Mars’ atmosphere. Despite their toy-like size, the capsules withstood up to ~17,000 g’s and collected data on acceleration, trajectory and stability to validate the Entry, Descent and Landing Module (EDLM) that will carry the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars in 2028.