ExoMars

ExoMars
Name	ExoMars
Mission type	Astrobiology, Planetary science
Operator	European Space Agency, Roscosmos
Manufacturer	Thales Alenia Space, Lavochkin
Launch rocket	Proton-M
Launch site	Baikonur Cosmodrome
Orbit reference	Areocentric orbit
Apsis	Mars

ExoMars is a major international astrobiology project spearheaded by the European Space Agency in partnership with the Russian space agency Roscosmos. The ambitious program aims to investigate the Martian environment and search for potential biosignatures of past or present life on Mars. It represents a cornerstone of Europe's planetary exploration strategy and involves sophisticated orbiters and rovers equipped with advanced scientific instruments.

Mission overview

The program is structured as a two-part endeavor to systematically explore the Red Planet. The first component, launched in 2016, consisted of the Trace Gas Orbiter and the ill-fated Schiaparelli EDM lander. The second, planned but postponed, was to deliver the Rosalind Franklin (rover) and its accompanying Kazachok surface platform to the Martian surface. Primary industrial contracts were awarded to Thales Alenia Space as the prime contractor, with significant contributions from Lavochkin and numerous European academic institutions. The overarching goal is to demonstrate key EDL technologies while conducting groundbreaking in-situ science.

Scientific objectives

Core scientific aims focus on detecting and analyzing trace gases in the Martian atmosphere, particularly methane on Mars, which could have geological or biological origins. The mission seeks to characterize potential habitable zones beneath the surface by analyzing the water ice content and geochemistry of the Martian soil. A central objective is the direct search for organic compounds and other potential biosignatures using a drill capable of extracting samples from depths up to two meters, beyond the reach of damaging cosmic rays and surface oxidants.

Spacecraft and instruments

The Trace Gas Orbiter carries a suite of four instruments, including the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery spectrometer and the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System. The developed but not launched Rosalind Franklin (rover) was equipped with the Panoramic Camera suite and the Mars Organic Molecule Analyser, a sophisticated laboratory. The Kazachok surface platform featured instruments like the MetNet station for long-term climate monitoring. The rover's unique drill system was designed by Leonardo to obtain pristine subsurface samples.

Launch and mission timeline

The first mission launched successfully on a Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in March 2016. The Trace Gas Orbiter entered Mars orbit in October 2016 and began its primary science mission in 2018, following a lengthy aerobraking maneuver. The Schiaparelli EDM lander crashed during its descent due to a sensor failure. The second mission, originally scheduled for a 2020 launch, was postponed to 2022 and then suspended indefinitely following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent suspension of cooperation with Roscosmos by ESA member states.

Results and discoveries

The Trace Gas Orbiter has returned a wealth of data, mapping the distribution of water ice in the Martian subsurface and providing highly detailed analyses of atmospheric composition. Its instruments detected no significant methane in the atmosphere during initial measurements, contradicting earlier observations by NASA's Curiosity (rover), though it later observed a single methane plume. The orbiter also serves as a crucial data relay for surface assets like the InSight lander and the Perseverance (rover), significantly increasing the data return from the Martian surface.

Future prospects and collaboration

Following the break with Roscosmos, the European Space Agency is seeking new international partnerships to launch the rover. NASA has been identified as a potential key collaborator, possibly providing a launch vehicle such as a Falcon Heavy and elements of a new landing system. The future of the Kazachok platform remains uncertain. The program's legacy continues through the ongoing operations of the Trace Gas Orbiter, which will support future missions from various space agencies and contribute to the long-term goal of a Mars sample-return mission.

Category:Mars spacecraft Category:European Space Agency missions Category:Roscosmos missions