A tiny robot figurine takes a look at a miniature ExoMars capsule. (Image credit: ESA – A. Conigli) This tiny capsule was just shot out of a gun at over 2,600 mph (4,200 kph). What is it? ESA is developing a landing module, formally called the Entry Descent and Landing Module (EDLM), for its ExoMars mission that will carry the agency's Rosalind Franklin rover to the Martian surface. This mission aims to launch in 2028. To make sure that the EDLM is ready to launch into space and land on Mars , the mission team launched 20 of these tiny models of the capsule on Earth. The little, 3-inch wide capsules were shot out of a bore gun at over 2,600 mph, or nearly four times the speed of sound . These "micro launches," as I'm calling them unofficially, mimicked the aerodynamics that a Mars capsule would experience careening through the Martian atmosphere at supersonic speeds. Each of these 20 mini capsules launched while outfitted with electronic circuits, monitoring their flight.…