Beagle 2's heat resistant shield protects it from heat generated by friction with the martian atmosphere. Parachutes deploy to slow it down further, then gas-filled bags inflate to soften its landing.

Beagle 2 will land on Isidis
Planitia, a large, flat sedimentary
basin straddling the relatively
young northern plains and
ancient southern highlands,
where traces of life could have
been preserved.