NASA's Unconventional Mars Landing Test: Crash and Absorb

Unveil the audacious realm of Mars landing technology with NASA's groundbreaking experiment: crash landing to conquer the Red Planet's rugged terrain. Introducing the Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device (SHIELD), a revolutionary concept crafted at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Join us on this captivating journey as we explore the possibilities of a new era in Mars exploration.Show more

Bridging innovation and resourcefulness, SHIELD charts a bold course for low-cost Mars missions. Departing from traditional approaches involving parachutes or retrorockets, SHIELD takes an unconventional stance. Its ingenious design encompasses a collapsible, accordion-like base, engineered to absorb the impact energy of a daring landing.

Witness the heart-pounding trial that puts SHIELD to the ultimate test. On August 12, 2022, a full-scale prototype of the energy-absorbing base was catapulted from the apex of a towering 90-foot drop tower at JPL. With the force of impact amplified beyond Mars' reality, the SHIELD prototype collided with a steel plate at a staggering 110 mph (177 kph). Against all odds, vital electronic components within the prototype, including a smartphone, emerged unscathed – a testament to SHIELD's resilience.

Join the frontiers of innovation, challenge conventions, and embark on a mission that may redefine Mars exploration. Subscribe now and be part of the trailblazing journey with NASA's audacious SHIELD experiment.