(Image credit: ESA-SJM Photography) Is it cake? No, but it's baked to perfection. What is it? Sitting wrapped up neatly in a donut-shaped bag sits a parachute measuring nearly 115 feet (35 meters) across and weighing 163 pounds (74 kilograms) — and it has to be baked in an oven to get prepared for Mars. But don't worry, the parachute was given time to cool down and rest after baking (we're serious). Article continues below This parachute, made primarily of nylon and Kevlar fabrics, was created for the European Space Agency's ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover , expected to launch to the Red Planet in 2028. Wondering why this Mars-bound parachute needs to be baked? Well, it's part of a mission-critical step known as planetary protection . In short, this step ensures the mission doesn't accidentally carry any hitchhiking microorganisms to Mars. Why is it incredible? The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover is expected to spend over two years (at least) exploring the Martian surface while searching for signs of life.…