As part of the EXOMARS contract, carried out in collaboration with Fluid Gravity, the European Space Agency (ESA), Thalès Alenia Space, and ArianeGroup, ISL designed, developed, and miniaturized a specific and instrumented version of the Rosalind Franklin Module (RFM) model intended for launch to the planet Mars in 2028. This ambitious project is a significant technological breakthrough in the space sector.
Dedicated sabots were specially designed with an incidence of 0 to 10° incidence. More than 25 supersonic flight tests were carried out on ISL’s Baldersheim test range, ranging from Mach 2.0 to 3.5. The models were fitted with embedded electronics, including magnetometers, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. Combined with external techniques such as high-speed cameras and Doppler radar, these tests and the related measurements will enable fine aerodynamic characterization, especially concerning the dynamic stability of the RFM model.
This success is based on the remarkable involvement of our teams. Their professionalism and reactivity allowed us to overcome the technical challenges of this large-scale project. Many thanks to BDO and EJ for their support in setting up this project, to the procurement team (HA) for their reactivity, to the central workshop (AC) and the design office (PE) for design and conception, as well as to the C1 workshop. We would also like to congratulate the scientific groups of Division II, NSC on electronics (assembly, moulding, sensor characterization, etc.) and ABX on the rigorous approach of tests and data processing for our external staff.
Finally, the dissemination of results on ESA’s official channels not only testifies to the scientific quality of our work but also provides ISL with greater visibility in the space sector.
ESA:
- ESA website: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/05/Shooting_for_a_Mars_landing
- ESA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ejn4lvusc
- It will be featured on YouTube shorts later this week, with subtitles.
- With more pictures and explanation on the blog: https://blogs.esa.int/to-mars-and-back/2025/06/04/shooting-for-a-mars-landing/
And on socials:
- X: https://x.com/esaspaceflight/status/1930253619502125449