NASA Experimenting with Techniques for Controlled Mars Landing

We are presently engaged in the systematic evaluation of an innovative methodology for Mars descent, which entails controlled surface impact as a focal point. Termed the Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device (SHIELD), this novel lander concept is undergoing rigorous assessment under the auspices of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The fundamental objective is to potentially introduce an alternative avenue for achieving cost-efficiency in Mars-bound missions. In lieu of conventional methodologies such as parachute deployment or retrograde rocket firing, the SHIELD concept incorporates a collapsible, accordion-style undercarriage designed to effectively dissipate landing forces. To substantiate this proposition, a life-sized prototype of the undercarriage underwent comprehensive testing on August 12, 2022. The prototype was deliberately subjected to impact from a significant height at the JPL's nearly 90-foot-tall drop tower, thereby emulating a more forceful landing scenario than that encountered on Mars. Impressively, the design rationale stood validated: Despite the impact velocity of 110 mph (177 kph) against a steel plate, critical internal electronic components within the SHIELD prototype, including a smartphone, emerged unscathed. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/California Academy of Sciences