ExoMars programme

ExoMars programme
Name	ExoMars programme
Country	European Space Agency, Roscosmos
Purpose	Mars exploration, astrobiology
Status	Ongoing
Programme begin	2005
First flight	2016
Vehicle	Proton-M, Briz-M
Launch site	Baikonur Cosmodrome

ExoMars programme. The ExoMars programme is a collaborative astrobiology project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian space agency Roscosmos, with contributions from NASA. Its primary goals are to search for signs of past or present life on Mars and to investigate the planet's water and geochemical environment. The ambitious programme consists of multiple missions, combining an orbiter and a lander, followed by a sophisticated rover and surface platform.

Introduction

Conceived in the early 2000s, the programme emerged from ESA's Aurora programme as a flagship endeavour for solar system exploration. Initial plans involved a partnership with NASA, but budgetary constraints led to a reformulation and a new collaboration with Roscosmos in 2013. The programme represents a major step for ESA in developing complex planetary science missions, including entry, descent, and landing technologies. It is a cornerstone of Europe's long-term strategy for Mars exploration, aiming to return samples to Earth in the future.

Objectives and Science

The core scientific objective is to address the question of whether life has ever existed on Mars. This is pursued by detecting biosignatures in the Martian soil and atmosphere, particularly focusing on methane and other trace gases that could hint at biological or geological activity. A key aim is to understand the Martian water cycle and the distribution of water ice in the shallow subsurface. The missions also seek to characterize surface hazards and the radiation environment to prepare for future human exploration of Mars.

Spacecraft and Instruments

The first mission, launched in 2016, comprised the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Schiaparelli EDM lander. The TGO carries a suite of instruments including the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery (NOMAD) and the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS) to analyze the atmosphere. The second mission features the Rosalind Franklin rover, equipped with a drill capable of reaching two meters depth, and the Kazachok surface platform. The rover's key instrument is the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA), designed to detect complex organic compounds.

Mission Timeline

The programme was officially initiated in 2005, with the first mission, ExoMars 2016, launching on a Proton-M rocket in March 2016. The second mission, ExoMars 2022, was postponed due to technical issues and the geopolitical context following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, with a new launch window anticipated in the late 2020s. The Trace Gas Orbiter began its primary science mission in 2018 and continues to operate, serving as a data relay for other Martian assets like the NASA Perseverance rover.

Launch and Deployment

Both missions were launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan using Proton-M launch vehicles with Briz-M upper stages. The Trace Gas Orbiter successfully entered Mars orbit in October 2016, while the accompanying Schiaparelli EDM lander crashed on the surface due to a navigation software error. The upcoming launch of the Rosalind Franklin rover is now planned as part of a reconfigured mission, potentially without Roscosmos involvement, utilizing a different launch provider and lander system.

Results and Findings

The Trace Gas Orbiter has provided highly detailed analyses of the Martian atmosphere, finding no detectable methane in its first year of data, contrary to earlier observations by missions like Mars Express and the Curiosity rover. It has mapped the distribution of water ice just below the surface in regions like Valles Marineris and measured radiation levels during its cruise phase. The failed Schiaparelli EDM lander nonetheless provided valuable engineering data on entry and descent for future missions. The programme's major scientific return is anticipated from the upcoming rover's subsurface investigations.

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