Landing device for a space probe, and landing method for a probe provided with such a device

摘要

A space probe including a descent module with a mobile exploration vehicle, wherein the descent module is a landing module inside which the mobile exploration vehicle is fastened, the landing module being provided with landing legs which can be deployed under the lower level of the mobile exploration vehicle.

主权项

1. A method of deploying a space probe comprising a descent and landing module said descent and landing module carrying a mobile exploration vehicle, wherein said mobile exploration vehicle is attached beneath said descent module, wherein the landing module has an upper framework of generally annular shape with a first diameter, and a lower framework of generally annular shape with a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and peripheral uprights connecting the upper framework to the lower framework forming a trellis construction forming an external skeleton around the exploration vehicle that allows solar rays to pass through the trellis and to solar panels of the exploration vehicle to make such exploration vehicle operational and to power engines of said exploration vehicle so that such exploration vehicle can depart from beneath the landing module said method having a landing sequence for the probe that comprises:
braking the descent and landing module by propulsion by means of propulsive gas ejection nozzles, deploying the landing legs of the descent and landing module, landing the descent and landing module provided with the mobile exploration vehicle, energizing solar panels of said exploration vehicle through said trellis construction, and depositing the mobile exploration vehicle between the landing legs of the descent and landing module resting on the ground.