ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

Last updated

Trace Gas Orbiter
ExoMars 2016 TGO and EDM trans-small.png
Artist's illustration of ExoMars 2016
Mission type Mars orbiter
Operator ESA  · Roscosmos
COSPAR ID 2016-017A
SATCAT no. 41388
Website http://exploration.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=46475
Mission durationPlanned: 7 years [1] [2]
Elapsed: 3 years, 1 month, 1 day
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Thales Alenia Space
Launch mass3,755 kg (8,278 lb) [3]
Payload massInstruments: 113.8 kg (251 lb) [3]
Schiaparelli: 577 kg (1,272 lb) [3]
Dimensions3.2 × 2 × 2 m (10.5 × 6.6 × 6.6 ft) [3]
Power~2000 W [3]
Start of mission
Launch date14 March 2016, 09:31 (2016-03-14UTC09:31)  UTC [4]
Rocket Proton-M/Briz-M
Launch site Baikonur 200/39
Contractor Khrunichev
Orbital parameters
Reference system Areocentric
Regime Circular
Eccentricity 0
Periareion 400 km (250 mi)
Apoareion 400 km (250 mi)
Inclination 74 degrees
Period 2 hours
Epoch Planned
Mars orbiter
Orbital insertion19 October 2016, 15:24 UTC [5]
Transponders
Band X band
UHF band
Frequency390–450 MHz
TWTA power65 W
ExoMars 2016 insignia.png
ESA mission insignia for the ExoMars 2016 launch, featuring the Trace Gas Orbiter (left) and Schiaparelli (right).
ExoMars programme
 

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO or ExoMars Orbiter) is a collaborative project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos that sent an atmospheric research orbiter and the Schiaparelli demonstration lander to Mars in 2016 as part of the European-led ExoMars programme. [6] [7] [8]

European Space Agency intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space

The European Space Agency is an intergovernmental organisation of 22 member states dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Paris, France, ESA has a worldwide staff of about 2,200 in 2018 and an annual budget of about €5.72 billion in 2019.

Roscosmos space agency of Russia

The Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, commonly known as Roscosmos, is a state corporation responsible for the wide range and types of space flights and cosmonautics programs for the Russian Federation.

An orbiter is a space probe that orbits a planet or other astronomical object.

Contents

The Trace Gas Orbiter delivered the Schiaparelli lander on 16 October 2016, which crashed on the surface. [9]

The orbiter began aerobraking in March 2017 to lower its initial orbit of 200 by 98,000 km (120 by 60,890 mi). Aerobraking concluded on 20 February 2018 when a final thruster firing resulted in an orbit of 200 by 1,050 km (120 by 650 mi). [10] Additional thruster firings every few days raised the orbiter to a circular "science" orbit of 400 km (250 mi), which was achieved on 9 April 2018. [11]

Aerobraking spaceflight maneuver

Aerobraking is a spaceflight maneuver that reduces the high point of an elliptical orbit (apoapsis) by flying the vehicle through the atmosphere at the low point of the orbit (periapsis). The resulting drag slows the spacecraft. Aerobraking is used when a spacecraft requires a low orbit after arriving at a body with an atmosphere, and it requires less fuel than does the direct use of a rocket engine.

A key goal is to gain a better understanding of methane (CH
4) and other trace gases present in the Martian atmosphere that could be evidence for possible biological activity. The programme will follow with the Surface Science Platform and the Rosalind Franklin rover in 2020, [12] which will search for biomolecules and biosignatures; the TGO will operate as the communication link for the ExoMars lander and rover and provide communication for other Mars surface probes with Earth.

The ExoMars Kazachok is a planned robotic Mars lander led by the Roscosmos, part of the ExoMars 2020 mission by the Roscosmos and the European Space Agency.

<i>Rosalind Franklin</i> (rover) planned robotic Mars rover

Rosalind Franklin, previously known as the ExoMars rover, is a planned robotic Mars rover, part of the international ExoMars programme led by the European Space Agency and the Russian Roscosmos State Corporation.

Biomolecule molecule that is produced by a living organism

A biomolecule or biological molecule is a loosely used term for molecules and ions that are present in organisms, essential to some typically biological process such as cell division, morphogenesis, or development. Biomolecules include large macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as small molecules such as primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, and natural products. A more general name for this class of material is biological materials. Biomolecules are usually endogenous but may also be exogenous. For example, pharmaceutical drugs may be natural products or semisynthetic (biopharmaceuticals) or they may be totally synthetic.

History

Investigations with space and Earth-based observatories have demonstrated the presence of a small amount of methane on the atmosphere of Mars that seems to vary with location and time. [13] [14] [15] This may indicate the presence of microbial life on Mars, or a geochemical process such as volcanism or hydrothermal activity. [16] [17] [18] [19]

Volcanism phenomena and processes associated with the action of volcanos, geysers and fumaroles

Volcanism is the phenomenon of eruption of molten rock (magma) onto the surface of the Earth or a solid-surface planet or moon, where lava, pyroclastics and volcanic gases erupt through a break in the surface called a vent. It includes all phenomena resulting from and causing magma within the crust or mantle of the body, to rise through the crust and form volcanic rocks on the surface.

The challenge to discern the source of methane in the atmosphere of Mars prompted the independent planning by ESA and NASA of one orbiter each that would carry instruments in order to determine if its formation is of biological or geological origin, [20] [21] as well as its decomposition products such as formaldehyde and methanol.

Formaldehyde Widely used toxic organic compound

Formaldehyde (systematic name methanal) is a naturally occurring organic compound with the formula CH2O (H-CHO). It is the simplest of the aldehydes (R-CHO). The common name of this substance comes from its similarity and relation to formic acid.

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol among others, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often abbreviated MeOH). Methanol acquired the name wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly by the destructive distillation of wood. Today, methanol is mainly produced industrially by hydrogenation of carbon monoxide.

Origins

ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter was born out of the nexus of ESA's Aurora programme ExoMars flagship and NASA's 2013 and 2016 Mars Science Orbiter (MSO) concepts. [22] [23] It became a flexible collaborative proposal within NASA and ESA to send a new orbiter-carrier to Mars in 2016 as part of the European-led ExoMars mission. [8] On the ExoMars side, ESA authorised about half a billion Euros in 2005 for a rover and mini-station; eventually this evolved into being delivered by an orbiter rather than a cruise stage. [24]

Attempted collaboration with NASA

NASA's Mars Science Orbiter (MSO) was originally envisioned in 2008 as an all-NASA endeavour aiming for a late 2013 launch. [22] [23] NASA and ESA officials agreed to pool resources and technical expertise and collaborate to launch only one orbiter. [25] The agreement, called the Mars Exploration Joint Initiative, was signed on July 2009 and proposed to use an Atlas rocket launcher instead of a Soyuz rocket, which significantly altered the technical and financial setting of the European ExoMars mission. Since the rover was originally planned to be launched along with the TGO, a prospective agreement would require that the rover lose enough weight to fit aboard the Atlas launch vehicle with NASA's orbiter. [26] Instead of reducing the rover's mass, it was nearly doubled when the mission was combined with other projects to a multi-spacecraft programme divided over two Atlas V launches: [25] [27] the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) was merged into the project, carrying a meteorological lander planned for launch in 2016. The European orbiter would carry several instruments originally meant for NASA's MSO, so NASA scaled down the objectives and focused on atmospheric trace gases detection instruments for their incorporation in ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. [3] [8] [23]

Under the FY2013 budget President Barack Obama released on 13 February 2012, NASA terminated its participation in ExoMars due to budgetary cuts in order to pay for the cost overruns of the James Webb Space Telescope. [28] With NASA's funding for this project cancelled, most of ExoMars' plans had to be restructured. [29]

Collaboration with Russia

On 15 March 2012, the ESA's ruling council announced it would press ahead with its ExoMars program in partnership with the Russian space agency Roscosmos, which planned to contribute two heavy-lift Proton launch vehicles and an additional entry, descent and landing system to the 2020 rover mission. [30] [31] [32] [33] [34]

Under the collaboration proposal with Roscosmos, the ExoMars mission was split into two parts: the orbiter/lander mission in March 2016 that includes the TGO and a 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) diameter stationary lander built by ESA named Schiaparelli, [35] and the Rosalind Franklin rover mission in 2020. [12] Both missions are using a Proton-M rocket.

Launch

Launch of the Proton carrier rocket ExoMars 2016 Launch.jpg
Launch of the Proton carrier rocket
Animation of ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter's trajectory Sun * Earth * Mars * ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter Animation of ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter trajectory.gif
Animation of ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter's trajectory
   Sun ·   Earth ·   Mars ·   ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
Animation of ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter's trajectory around Mars Mars * ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter Animation of ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter trajectory around Mars.gif
Animation of ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter's trajectory around Mars
   Mars ·   ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

The Trace Gas Orbiter and descent module Schiaparelli completed testing and were integrated to a Proton rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in mid-January 2016. [36] The launch occurred at 09:31  UTC on 14 March 2016. [4] Four rocket burns occurred in the following 10 hours before the descent module and orbiter were released. [37] A signal from the spacecraft was received at 21:29 UTC that day, confirming that the launch was successful and the spacecraft were functioning properly. [38]

Shortly after separation from the probes, a Brazilian ground telescope recorded small objects in the vicinity of the Briz-M upper booster stage, suggesting that the Briz-M stage exploded a few kilometres away, without damaging the orbiter or lander. [39] Briefing reporters in Moscow, the head of Roscosmos denied any anomaly and made all launch data available for inspection. [40]

Status

The Schiaparelli lander separated from the TGO orbiter on 16 October 2016, [41] three days before it arrived on Mars, and entered the atmosphere at 21,000 km/h (13,000 mph; 5.8 km/s). [42] Schiaparelli transmitted about 600 megabytes of telemetry during its landing attempt, [43] before it impacted the surface at 540 km/h (340 mph). [44]

The TGO was injected into Mars orbit on 19 October 2016 and underwent 11 months of aerobraking (March 2017 to February 2018), reducing its orbital speed by 3,600 km/h (2,200 mph) and its orbit from an initial 98,000 by 200 km (60,890 by 120 mi) down to 1,050 by 200 km (650 by 120 mi). Additional thruster firings through mid-April circularised the spacecraft's orbit to 400 km (250 mi), and full science activities began on 21 April 2018. [45] [46]

Specifications

Size of the Trace Gas Orbiter (left) with the Schiaparelli EDM attached, compared to Mars Express (right) and an average human ExoMars TGO size vs Mars Express.svg
Size of the Trace Gas Orbiter (left) with the Schiaparelli EDM attached, compared to Mars Express (right) and an average human
Dimensions 
The central bus is 3.2 m × 2 m × 2 m (10.5 ft × 6.6 ft × 6.6 ft) [3]
Propulsion 
424  N (95  lbf ) bi-propellant main engine, used for Mars orbit insertion and manoeuvres [3]
Power 
20 m2 (220 sq ft) solar arrays spanning 17.5 m (57 ft) tip-to-tip, and capable of rotating in one axis; [47] will generate about 2000 W of power at Mars [3]
Batteries 
2 modules of lithium-ion batteries with approximately 5100 watt hours total capacity to provide power during eclipses over the prime mission [3]
Communication 
2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) X band high-gain antenna with a two-axis pointing mechanism and 65 W RF travelling-wave tube amplifier to communicate with Earth [3]
Two Electra UHF band transceivers with a single helical antenna to communicate with spacecraft at Mars [3]
Thermal control 
Spacecraft yaw axis control to ensure the three faces containing the science payload remain cold
Mass 
3,755 kg (8,278 lb), wet mass of the orbiter [3]
4,332 kg (9,550 lb), wet mass of the orbiter plus Schiaparelli lander [3]
Payload 
113.8 kg (251 lb) of science instruments [3]

Science

Scale model of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter displayed during the Paris Air Show, 2015 Maquette Exomars Orbiter Salon du Bourget 2015 DSC 0045.jpg
Scale model of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter displayed during the Paris Air Show, 2015

The TGO separated from the ExoMars Schiaparelli demonstration lander and would have provided it with telecommunication relay for 8 Martian solar days (sols) after landing. Then the TGO gradually underwent aerobraking for seven months into a more circular orbit for science observations and will provide communications relay for the Rosalind Franklin rover to be launched in 2020, and will continue serving as a relay satellite for future landed missions. [2]

The FREND instrument will map hydrogen levels to a maximum depth of 1 m (3 ft 3 in) beneath the Martian surface. [48] [49] Locations where hydrogen is found may indicate water-ice deposits, which could be useful for future crewed missions.

Particularly, the mission will characterise spatial, temporal variation, and localisation of sources for a broad list of atmospheric trace gases. If methane (CH
4) is found in the presence of propane (C
3H
8) or ethane (C
2H
6), that will be a strong indication that biological processes are involved. [50] However, if methane is found in the presence of gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO
2), that would be an indication that the methane is a byproduct of geological processes. [51]

Detection
Visualisation of a methane plume found in Mars' atmosphere during the northern summer season Martian Methane Map.jpg
Visualisation of a methane plume found in Mars' atmosphere during the northern summer season

The nature of the methane source requires measurements of a suite of trace gases in order to characterise potential biochemical and geochemical processes at work. The orbiter has very high sensitivity to (at least) the following molecules and their isotopomers: water (H
2O), hydroperoxyl (HO
2), nitrogen dioxide (NO
2), nitrous oxide (N
2O), methane (CH
4), acetylene (C
2H
2), ethylene (C
2H
4), ethane (C
2H
6), formaldehyde (H
2CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), hydrogen sulfide (H
2S), carbonyl sulfide (OCS), sulfur dioxide (SO
2), hydrogen chloride (HCl), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O
3). Detection sensitivities are at levels of 100 parts per trillion, improved to 10 parts per trillion or better by averaging spectra which could be taken at several spectra per second. [52]

Characterisation
Localisation

Payload

Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System CaSSIS.jpg
Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System

Like the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter , the Trace Gas Orbiter is a hybrid science and telecom orbiter. [53] Its scientific payload mass is about 113.8 kg (251 lb) and consists of: [3] [54]

NOMAD and ACS will provide the most extensive spectral coverage of Martian atmospheric processes so far. [53] [58] Twice per orbit, at local sunrise and sunset, they will be able to observe the Sun as it shines through the atmosphere. Detection of atmospheric trace species at the parts-per-billion (ppb) level will be possible.

Relay telecommunications

An Electra radio, in this case the one for the MAVEN probe. Electra radios were also deployed on the Trace Gas Orbiter and on other Mars telecommunications assets. Pia17952 electra transceiver dsc09326 0.jpg
An Electra radio, in this case the one for the MAVEN probe. Electra radios were also deployed on the Trace Gas Orbiter and on other Mars telecommunications assets.

Due to the challenges of entry, descent and landing, Mars landers are highly constrained in mass, volume and power. For landed missions, this places severe constraints on antenna size and transmission power, which in turn greatly reduce direct-to-Earth communication capability in comparison to orbital spacecraft. As an example, the capability downlinks on Spirit and Opportunity rovers had only ​1⁄600 the capability of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter downlink. Relay communication addresses this problem by allowing Mars surface spacecraft to communicate using higher data rates over short-range links to nearby Mars orbiters, while the orbiter takes on the task of communicating over the long-distance link back to Earth. This relay strategy offers a variety of key benefits to Mars landers: increased data return volume, reduced energy requirements, reduced communications system mass, increased communications opportunities, robust critical event communications and in situ navigation aid. [59] NASA provided an Electra telecommunications relay and navigation instrument to assure communications between probes and rovers on the surface of Mars and controllers on Earth. [60] The TGO will provide the 2020 Rosalind Franklin rover with telecommunications relay; it will also serve as a relay satellite for future landed missions. [2]

Results

The spacecraft took its first photos of the surface of Mars on 15 April 2018. [61] In April 2019, the science team reported their first methane results: TGO had detected no methane whatsoever, even though their data were more sensitive than the methane concentrations found using Curiosity , Mars Express , and ground-based observations. [62]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Mars Express</i> Space probe

Mars Express is a space exploration mission being conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA). The Mars Express mission is exploring the planet Mars, and is the first planetary mission attempted by the agency. "Express" originally referred to the speed and efficiency with which the spacecraft was designed and built. However "Express" also describes the spacecraft's relatively short interplanetary voyage, a result of being launched when the orbits of Earth and Mars brought them closer than they had been in about 60,000 years.

Mars rover vehicle which propels itself across the surface of the planet Mars

A Mars rover is a motor vehicle that travels across the surface of the planet Mars upon arrival. Rovers have several advantages over stationary landers: they examine more territory, they can be directed to interesting features, they can place themselves in sunny positions to weather winter months, and they can advance the knowledge of how to perform very remote robotic vehicle control. Mars

Exploration of Mars Mars scientific exploration programs

The planet Mars has been explored remotely by spacecraft. Probes sent from Earth, beginning in the late 20th century, have yielded a large increase in knowledge about the Martian system, focused primarily on understanding its geology and habitability potential. Engineering interplanetary journeys is complicated and the exploration of Mars has experienced a high failure rate, especially the early attempts. Roughly sixty percent of all spacecraft destined for Mars failed before completing their missions and some failed before their observations could begin. Some missions have met with unexpected success, such as the twin Mars Exploration Rovers, which operated for years beyond their specification.

A biosignature is any substance – such as an element, isotope, or molecule – or phenomenon that provides scientific evidence of past or present life. Measurable attributes of life include its complex physical and chemical structures and also its utilization of free energy and the production of biomass and wastes. Due to its unique characteristics, a biosignature can be interpreted as having been produced by living organisms; however, it is important that they not be considered definitive because there is no way of knowing in advance which ones are universal to life and which ones are unique to the peculiar circumstances of life on Earth. Nonetheless, life forms are known to shed unique chemicals, including DNA, into the environment as evidence of their presence in a particular location.

Aurora programme

The Aurora programme is a human spaceflight programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) established in 2001. The objective is to formulate and then to implement a European long-term plan for exploration of the Solar System using robotic spacecraft and human spaceflight to investigate bodies holding promise for traces of life beyond the Earth.

Mars Telecommunications Orbiter

The Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO) was a cancelled Mars mission that was originally intended to launch in 2009 and would have established an Interplanetary Internet between Earth and Mars. The spacecraft would have arrived in a high orbit above Mars in 2010 and relayed data packets to Earth from a variety of Mars landers, rovers and orbiters for as long as ten years, at an extremely high data rate. Such a dedicated communications satellite was thought to be necessary due to the vast quantity of scientific information to be sent to Earth by such landers as the Mars Science Laboratory.

Atmosphere of Mars atmosphere

The atmosphere of the planet Mars is composed mostly of carbon dioxide. The atmospheric pressure on the Martian surface averages 600 pascals, about 0.6% of Earth's mean sea level pressure of 101.3 kilopascals. It ranges from a low of 30 pascals on Olympus Mons's peak to over 1,155 pascals in the depths of Hellas Planitia. This pressure is well below the Armstrong limit for the unprotected human body. Mars's atmospheric mass of 25 teratonnes compares to Earth's 5148 teratonnes; Mars has a scale height of 11.1 kilometres (6.9 mi) versus Earth's 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi).

Timeline of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Timeline for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) lists the significant events of the launch, aerobraking, and transition phases as well as subsequent significant operational mission events; by date and brief description.

Mars general circulation model

The Mars general circulation model (MGCM) is the result of a research project by NASA to understand the nature of the general circulation of the atmosphere of Mars, how that circulation is driven and how it affects the climate of Mars in the long term.

Mars landing

A Mars landing is a landing of a spacecraft on the surface of Mars. Of multiple attempted Mars landings by robotic, unmanned spacecraft, eight have been successful. There have also been studies for a possible human mission to Mars, including a landing, but none have been attempted. The most recent landing took place on November 26, 2018 by the NASA probe InSight.

Mars Exploration Joint Initiative international space agencies agreement about mars exploration

The Mars Exploration Joint Initiative (MEJI) is an agreement signed between United States' space agency, NASA, and Europe's space agency, ESA to join resources and expertise in order to continue the exploration of the planet Mars. The agreement was signed in Washington D.C. in October 2009, between NASA administrator Charles Bolden and ESA director-general Jean-Jacques Dordain.

<i>Schiaparelli</i> EDM lander ExoMars 2016 lander module

Schiaparelli EDM lander[skjapaˈɾɛlːi] was a failed Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM) of the ExoMars programme—a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. It was built in Italy and was intended to test technology for future soft landings on the surface of Mars. It also had a limited but focused science payload that would have measured atmospheric electricity on Mars and local meteorological conditions.

The Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS) is a science payload consisting of three infrared spectrometer channels abord the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) orbiting Mars since October 2016. The three channels are: the near-infrared channel (NIR), the mid-infrared channel (MIR), and the far infrared channel.

The Fine-Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND) is a neutron detector that is part of the instrument payload on board the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), launched to Mars in March 2016. This instrument is currently mapping hydrogen levels to a maximum depth of 1 m beneath the Martian surface, thus revealing shallow water ice distribution.This instrument has an improved resolution of 7.5 times over the one Russia contributed to NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter.

Nadir and Occultation for MArs Discovery (NOMAD) is a 3-channel spectrometer on board the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) launched to Mars orbit on 14 March 2016.

References

  1. ↑ "ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli Mission (2016)". European Space Agency. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Allen, Mark A.; Witasse, Olivier (2011). 2016 ESA/NASA ExoMARS/Trace Gas Orbiter. Mars Exploration Program Assessment Group. 15–16 June 2011. Lisbon, Portugal.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO)". European Space Agency. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 Amos, Jonathan (14 March 2016). "Mars methane mission lifts off". BBC. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Nowakowski, Tomasz (20 October 2016). "Lost on Mars: Schiaparelli lander falls silent shortly before touchdown". Spaceflight Insider. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  6. ↑ Chang, Kenneth (19 October 2016). "ExoMars Mission to Join Crowd of Spacecraft at Mars". The New York Times . Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  7. ↑ Vago, J. L. (10 September 2009), "Mars Panel Meeting" (PDF), Planetary Science Decadal Survey(PDF)|format= requires |url= (help), Arizona State University, Tempe (US): European Space Agency
  8. 1 2 3 Mustard, Jack (9 July 2009). "MEPAG Report to the Planetary Science Subcommittee" (PDF). Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group. p. 3.
  9. ↑ Amos, Jonathan (19 October 2016). "Fears grow for European Schiaparelli Mars lander". BBC News. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "Surfing complete". European Space Agency. 21 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  11. ↑ Mitschdoerfer, Pia; et al. (9 April 2018). "ExoMars poised to start science mission". European Space Agency. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Second ExoMars mission moves to next launch opportunity in 2020" (Press release). European Space Agency. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Mars Trace Gas Mission". MEPAG. 10 September 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
  14. ↑ Mumma, Michael J.; Villanueva, Gerónimo L.; Novak, Robert E.; Hewagama, Tilak; Bonev, Boncho P.; Disanti, Michael A.; Mandell, Avi M.; Smith, Michael D. (20 February 2009). "Strong Release of Methane on Mars in Northern Summer 2003" (PDF). Science. 323 (5917): 1041–1045. Bibcode:2009Sci...323.1041M. doi:10.1126/science.1165243. PMID   19150811.
  15. ↑ Hand, Eric (21 October 2008). "Plumes of methane identified on Mars" (PDF). Nature News. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  16. ↑ "Making Sense of Mars' Methane". Astrobio.net. June 2008.
  17. ↑ Steigerwald, Bill (15 January 2009). "Martian Methane Reveals the Red Planet is not a Dead Planet". NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
  18. ↑ Howe, K. L.; Gavin, P.; Goodhart, T.; Kral, T. A. (2009). Methane Production by Methanogens in Perchlorate-Supplemented Media (PDF). 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
  19. ↑ Levin, Gilbert V.; Straat, Patricia Ann (3 September 2009). "Methane and life on Mars". Proc. SPIE. Proceedings of SPIE. 7441 (74410D): 74410D. doi:10.1117/12.829183.
  20. ↑ Rincon, Paul (9 July 2009). "Agencies outline Mars initiative". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  21. ↑ "NASA orbiter to hunt for source of Martian methane in 2016". Thaindian News. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  22. 1 2 Smith, Michael (10 September 2009). "Mars Trace Gas Mission: Science Rationale & Concept" (PDF). Presentation to the NRC Decadal Survey Mars Panel.
  23. 1 2 3 Zurek, R.; Chicarro, A. (29 July 2009). "Report to MEPAG on the ESA-NASA Joint Instrument Definition Team (JIDT) for the Proposed 2016 Orbiter-Carrier" (PDF). NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 July 2009.
  24. ↑ "Brief ExoMars Project History". Spaceflight101.com. 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  25. 1 2 Taverna, Michael A. (19 October 2009). "ESA Proposes Two ExoMars Missions". Aviation Week . Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  26. ↑ "NASA Could Take Role in European ExoMars Mission". Space News. 19 June 2009.
  27. ↑ Amos, Jonathan (12 October 2009). "Europe's Mars plans move forward". BBC News. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  28. ↑ Kremr, Ken (1 February 2012). "Experts React to Obama Slash to NASA's Mars and Planetary Science Exploration". Universe Today. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  29. ↑ Whewell, Megan (15 February 2012). "Have Europe's Martian exploration plans been derailed by America?". MSN News. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  30. ↑ Svitak, Amy (16 March 2012). "Europe Joins Russia on Robotic ExoMars". Aviation Week. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  31. ↑ De Selding, Peter B. (15 March 2012). "ESA Ruling Council OKs ExoMars Funding". Space News. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  32. ↑ "NASA drops ExoMars missions in 2013 budget". Optics. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  33. ↑ "Spacewatch: Uncertainties for ExoMars". The Guardian. 16 March 2012.
  34. ↑ Amos, Jonathan (15 March 2012). "Europe still keen on Mars missions". BBC News. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  35. ↑ "ExoMars". Russian Space Web. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  36. ↑ "ExoMars 2016 Schiaparelli Module in Baikonur". ESA. SpaceRef. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  37. ↑ Gibney, Elizabeth (11 March 2016). "Mars launch to test collaboration between Europe and Russia". Nature . 531: 288–299. Bibcode:2016Natur.531..288G. doi:10.1038/nature.2016.19547. PMID   26983519 . Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  38. ↑ "ExoMars on its way to solve the Red Planet's mysteries". ESA. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  39. ↑ King, Bob (24 March 2016). "ExoMars Mission Narrowly Avoids Exploding Booster". Universe Today. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  40. ↑ de Selding, Peter B. (5 April 2016). "Roscosmos gives detailed rebuttal to reports of Proton ExoMars launch anomaly". Space News. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  41. ↑ Malik, Tariq (16 October 2016). "European Mars Lander Separates From Mothership, Takes Aim at Red Planet". Space.com. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  42. ↑ Aron, Jacob (7 March 2016). "ExoMars probe set to sniff out signs of life on the Red Planet". New Scientist. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  43. ↑ de Selding, Peter B. (20 October 2016). "Europe's ExoMars enters Mars orbit, but lander feared lost". SpaceNews . Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  44. ↑ "Mars lander smashed into ground at 540km/h after misjudging its altitude". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  45. ↑ Wall, Mike (23 February 2018). "Methane-Sniffing Orbiter Finishes 'Aerobraking' Dives Through Mars' Atmosphere". Space.com. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  46. ↑ Svedhem, Hakan; Vago, Jorge L.; Bruinsma, Sean; Müller-Wodarg, Ingo; et al. (2017). ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter provides atmospheric data during Aerobraking into its final orbit. 49th Annual Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting. 15-20 October 2017. Provo, Utah. Bibcode:2017DPS....4941801S. 418.01.
  47. ↑ "Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) Spacecraft Frames Kernel". 2016-09-26. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  48. ↑ "ExoMars 2016". National Space Science Data Center . NASA. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  49. ↑ Gannon, Megan (14 March 2016). "The Science of ExoMars: New Mission to Hunt for Mars Life". Space.com. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  50. ↑ Montmessin, F. "Atmospheric Chemistry Suite: Science Overview" (PDF). LATMOS CNRS, France. p. 44. Retrieved 14 March 2016. Determining the origin of methane on Mars can only be addressed by looking at methane isotopologues and at higher alkanes (ethane, propane).
  51. ↑ McKie, Robin (20 February 2016). "'Giant nose in the sky' ready for lift-off in mission to sniff out traces of life on Mars". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  52. ↑ Vandaele, A. C.; et al. "NOMAD, a spectrometer suite for nadir and solar occultation observations on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter" (PDF). Institut des NanoSciences de Paris. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  53. 1 2 Vago, J.; et al. (August 2013). "ExoMars, ESA's next step in Mars exploration" (PDF). ESA Bulletin (155). pp. 12–23.
  54. ↑ "ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter Instruments". ESA. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  55. ↑ Thomas, I. R.; Vandaele, A. C.; Neefs, E.; et al. (2017). "The NOMAD Spectrometer Suite on the ExoMars 2016 Orbiter: Current Status" (PDF). The Sixth International Workshop on the Mars Atmosphere: Modelling and Observation. 17-20 January 2017. Granada, Spain. Bibcode:2017mamo.conf.4401T.
  56. ↑ Zakutnyaya, Olga (25 November 2012). "Europe to invest 12 bln euros in a new space Odyssey". Space Daily.
  57. 1 2 "Russia to Construct Landing Pad for Russian-European "ExoMars-2018" Space Mission". RIA Novosti. Russia. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  58. ↑ Amos, Jonathan (18 June 2013). "Europe". BBC News. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  59. ↑ Edwards, Jr., Charles D.; Banerdt, William B.; Beaty, David W.; Tamppari, Leslie K.; Zurek, Richard W. (15 September 2009). "Relay Orbiters for Enhancing and Enabling Mars In Situ Exploration" (PDF). Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group.
  60. ↑ De Selding, Peter B. (26 September 2012). "U.S., Europe Won't Go It Alone in Mars Exploration". Space News. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  61. ↑ Thomas, Nicolas; et al. (26 April 2018). "ExoMars returns first images from new orbit". European Space Agency. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  62. ↑ Korablev, Oleg; et al. (2019). "No detection of methane on Mars from early ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter observations". Nature. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1096-4.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.