ExoMars Schiaparelli Direct-to-Earth Observation using GMRT

During the ExoMars Schiaparelli separation event on 16 October 2016 and Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) events 3 days later, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune, India, was used to directly observe UHF transmissions from the Schiaparelli lander as they arrive at Earth. The Doppler shift of the carrier frequency was measured and used as a diagnostic to identify key events during EDL. This signal detection at GMRT was the only real‐time aliveness indicator to European Space Agency mission operations during the critical EDL stage of the mission

ExoMars Schiaparelli Direct-to-Earth Observation using GMRT

During the ExoMars Schiaparelli separation event on 16 October 2016 and Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) events 3 days later, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune, India, was used to directly observe UHF transmissions from the Schiaparelli lander as they arrive at Earth. The Doppler shift of the carrier frequency was measured and used as a diagnostic to identify key events during EDL. This signal detection at GMRT was the only real‐time aliveness indicator to European Space Agency mission operations during the critical EDL stage of the mission