Images reveal crashed Mars lander
Source: BBC
Images reveal crashed Mars lander
By David Shukman
Science editor
27 October 2016 Science & Environment
The European Space Agency has tried hard to avoid using the words "crash" or "failure" about its attempted Mars landing but the fate of the spacecraft is cruelly exposed in new pictures.
The Schiaparelli lander is seen in greater detail than ever before, lying on the Martian surface.
It is well within its intended landing zone but obviously unable to function.
The images, gathered by Nasa, could provide important new clues about what went wrong.
They show a dark patch around the capsule - a possible hint that a fuel tank exploded - and the indication is that the impact gouged out a crater 50cm deep.
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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37788444
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