Schiaparelli RIP

[mtbc]

It is not looking good for the ESA's lander Schiaparelli's attempt to actually land on Mars. This saddens me. Not only am I wont to anthropomorphize but we yet have so much to learn about space exploration, we do not make a priority of it, I suspect that the survival of our civilization may depend upon it, I do seek and enjoy new places and experiences, and I am disappointed to have been born too soon for humanity to be truly spacefaring. It is frustrating to see the night sky and feel its inaccessibility; I thus mourn every setback that dissuades further effort per aspera ad astra.

Update: At least the ExoMars rover mission does appear to be going ahead.