Landing on another planetary body has been one of the biggest challenges and engineers across the world have been working to develop innovating technology to ensure a smooth touchdown, be it the Moon or Mars.
About 27 years ago, as a Nasa-led spacecraft was hurtling down through the thin Martian atmosphere, all eyes were glaring on the deep space network, which was looking for signs of success. Onboard was a revolutionary method that was all about a bouncy landing.
Nasa’s Mars Pathfinder mission revolutionised planetary exploration in 1997 with its innovative and unconventional landing technique on the Red Planet.
What happened on Mars in 1997?
In July 1997, the spacecraft made history by successfully bouncing 15 times on the Martian surface before coming to rest, demonstrating a new and effective method for landing on Mars.
The Pathfinder mission, consisting of a lander and the small Sojourner rover, employed a groundbreaking approach to cushion its impact.
As it descended through the thin Martian atmosphere, the spacecraft was slowed by a heat shield, a parachute, and rockets. In the final moments before touchdown,
Pathfinder was enveloped in a cluster of airbags, allowing it to bounce safely to a stop on the planet’s surface.
This airbag-mediated landing technique proved to be a game-changer for Mars exploration. It offered a more cost-effective and lightweight alternative to the previous rocket-powered soft landing methods used by earlier missions like Viking.
The success of Pathfinder’s landing system paved the way for future Mars missions, including the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which also utilized airbag technology for their landings in 2004.
The bouncing landing not only protected the delicate scientific instruments on board but also allowed for a wider range of potential landing sites. This flexibility was crucial for expanding the areas of Mars that could be explored by robotic missions.
Pathfinder’s success demonstrated the viability of NASA’s “faster, better, cheaper” approach to planetary exploration. The mission’s innovative landing technique, combined with its scientific achievements, helped reinvigorate public interest in Mars exploration and set the stage for future missions to the Red Planet.
The legacy of Pathfinder’s bouncing landing continues to influence Mars exploration strategies, inspiring engineers to develop new and creative solutions for the challenges of interplanetary travel and exploration
Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
