As far as I know, the Russians are preparing for Mars colonization in the same way as NASA and ESA. This could be the first step towards the creation of a Mars lander. What they are trying to achieve with this vehicle is to put together the technologies of the Soyuz capsules (one of the most reliable landers in history) and landing rocket booster.
Mars has a thinner atmosphere so it will require HUGE parachutes to land a Soyuz-like craft. By using rocket boosters, this problem is solved. Also, with rocket boosters, a very precise landing can be achieved (no need to walk for miles to the base after landing).
Mars also has a smaller gravity than Earth, so using landing rockets is easier, as the landing module's weight will be significantly smaller.
I don't think the Russians will change a working technology just for the sake of innovation. Soyuz and Progress landers and their parachutes have a long and very good history record and are very cheap to construct and use. They surely have a purpose for that change, and a very good one...
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As far as I know, the Russians are preparing for Mars colonization in the same way as NASA and ESA. This could be the first step towards the creation of a Mars lander. What they are trying to achieve with this vehicle is to put together the technologies of the Soyuz capsules (one of the most reliable landers in history) and landing rocket booster.
Mars has a thinner atmosphere so it will require HUGE parachutes to land a Soyuz-like craft. By using rocket boosters, this problem is solved. Also, with rocket boosters, a very precise landing can be achieved (no need to walk for miles to the base after landing).
Mars also has a smaller gravity than Earth, so using landing rockets is easier, as the landing module's weight will be significantly smaller.
I don't think the Russians will change a working technology just for the sake of innovation. Soyuz and Progress landers and their parachutes have a long and very good history record and are very cheap to construct and use. They surely have a purpose for that change, and a very good one...