European Space Agency Prepares Mars Parachute with Unique Baking Process
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for the launch of its ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, scheduled for 2028, by utilizing a unique method to ensure the mission's success. A massive parachute, designed to aid the rover's landing on Mars, has been baked in an oven as part of a planetary protection protocol. This parachute, measuring nearly 115 feet across and weighing 163 pounds, is made primarily of nylon and Kevlar fabrics. The baking process, conducted at ESA's Life Support and Physical Sciences Laboratory in the Netherlands, involved preheating the parachute for 50 hours followed by a 36-hour bake at 257 degrees Fahrenheit. This procedure is crucial to eliminate any microorganisms that might inadvertently be transported to Mars, which could compromise the mission's integrity.