sanman

Hi everyone,

I have a question - what's the smallest unmanned entry vehicle possible for descent from Martian orbit to the surface using an aeroshield and parachute?
What kind of mass and dimensions would be feasible for a minimal payload?
Do you think 10cm wide is too small? How about 5cm wide?
5 kg? 2 kg?
How small is too small?

What's the smallest you can go, before weird problems of slipstream turbulence and cross-winds cause too much difficulty in targeting a landing zone?
The landing zone I was thinking of was a fairly large one - the Hellas Basin - and so I'd imagine it wouldn't be too hard to hit from a polar orbit.

The payload merely has to be able to measure ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure and water humidity on the surface in Hellas Basin.

Any useful feedback is appreciated.