ExoMars parachute after extraction

The first main parachute of the ExoMars 2022 mission lies on the ground following a dynamic extraction test using NASA/JPL’s test rig powered by compressed air. The lid of the parachute assembly is pulled along a suspended cable at high speed while the end of the assembly is fixed to a wall. When the release mechanism is activated, the parachute bag – seen in this image towards the left of the scene – is pulled away from the parachute at the target speed, mimicking the extraction as it will be on Mars.

The image shows the parachute provided by Arescosmo in a test conducted in April 2021.