The first phase of ExoMars, a large-scale astrobiology mission that will try to determine if there has ever been life on the Red Planet, has been confirmed to launch on Monday, Mar 14, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
A joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos (the Russian Federal Space Agency), this first phase of the two-part mission will launch two robotic probes: a Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Schiaparelli entry, descent, and landing demonstrator module. The two spacecraft will lift off together aboard a Russian Proton Rocket.
The close proximity between Earth and Mars at the time of launch (9:31 UTC/10:31 CET) means that it is only projected to take seven months for the two vehicles to reach Mars, with the expected date being Oct 19, 2016.
ExoMars' mission is to search for signs of both biologic and geologic activity on the planet, as well as test technologies for the mission's second phase, which will involve sending a rover to Mars in 2018. Combined, the two phases will explore the planet by drilling holes in its surface, collecting samples and searching for life forms.
As the ESA explains, "The 2016 [phase] will act as a relay for the 2018 mission."
In particular, the TGO's primary goal is to seek evidence of methane and other atmospheric gases that could be an indication of active biological and geological processes.
"Proving that life exists or has existed on Mars would show that Earth is not unique in terms of having life on it," said Rolf de Groot, director of the ESA's Robotic Exploration Coordination Office. "That would make it much more likely that there are other places in the universe that also have life."
In turn, the Schiaparelli device will transmit data that will help the ESA develop technology for landing on the surface of Mars by way of a controlled landing coordination and descent velocity. This will be essential for the 2018 mission, which will carry further equipment, like drills, for exobiological and geochemical research.
The mission's prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space Italia, is directing the industrial team responsible for constructing the ExoMars spacecraft. Space technology companies from more than 20 nations are involved in Exomars' development.
The launch will be livestreamed by the European Space Agency starting from 8:30 GMT (9:30 CET) on Monday.
