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Schiaparelli thought it had landed on Mars when in fact it was still 3.7km above the surface, says European Space Agency A tiny lander that crashed on Mars last month flew into the red planet at 540km/h (335mph) instead of gently gliding to a stop, after a computer misjudged its altitude, the European Space Agency has said. Schiaparelli was on a test-run for a future rover meant to seek out evidence of life, past or present, but it fell silent seconds before its scheduled touchdown on 19 October. [Read more].

• Agence France-Presse, Mars lander smashed into ground at 540km/h after misjudging its altitude, The Guardian, November 24, 2016

Artist’s impression of the Mars-bound Schiaparelli probe (centre) separating from the Trace Gas Orbiter. Photo: D. Ducros/AP.