ExoMars

Since its inception, ExoMars has gone through several phases of planning with various proposals for landers, orbiters, launch vehicles, and international cooperation planning,{{cite web |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/exomars_2016.html |title=ExoMars |access-date=22 October 2013 |work=Russian Space Web}} such as the defunct 2009 Mars Exploration Joint Initiative (MEJI) with the United States.{{cite news |first=William |last=Harwood |title=NASA budget boosts manned space, cuts Mars exploration |date=13 February 2012 |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-57377062-239/nasa-budget-boosts-manned-space-cuts-mars-exploration/ |work=C Net News |quote="Tough choices had to be made," Bolden said. "This means we will not be moving forward with the planned 2016 and 2018 ExoMars mission that we had been exploring with the European Space Agency.}}{{cite news |first=Megan |last=Whewell |title=Have Europe's Martian exploration plans been derailed by America? |date=15 February 2012 |publisher=MSN News |url=http://news.uk.msn.com/blog/the-space-blog-blogpost.aspx?post=1fac64fc-9e63-4c9c-9304-ce598c2ab71d |work=National Space Centre |access-date=15 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511105820/http://news.uk.msn.com/blog/the-space-blog-blogpost.aspx?post=1fac64fc-9e63-4c9c-9304-ce598c2ab71d |archive-date=11 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Originally, the ExoMars concept consisted of a large robotic rover being part of ESA's Aurora Programme as a Flagship mission and was approved by the European Space Agency ministers in December 2005. Originally conceived as a rover with a stationary ground station, ExoMars was planned to launch in 2011 aboard a Russian Soyuz Fregat rocket.{{cite web |title=Europe's ExoMars rover... |date=28 August 2005 |url=http://www.spacetoday.org/SolSys/Mars/MarsExploration/MarsEuroRover.html |work=Space Today Online}}

ExoMars began in 2001 as part of the ESA Aurora program for the human exploration of Mars.{{Cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_frequently_asked_questions |title=ExoMars frequently asked questions / ExoMars / Space Science / Our Activities / ESA |access-date=29 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201183909/http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_frequently_asked_questions |archive-date=1 December 2016 |url-status=dead }} That initial vision called for rover in 2009 and later a Mars sample-return mission. Another mission intended to support the Aurora program is a Phobos sample return mission. In December 2005, the different nations composing the ESA gave approval to the Aurora program and to ExoMars.[http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Exploration/European_ministers_approve_the_Aurora_Exploration_Programme_and_give_green_light_for_the_ExoMars_mission European ministers approve the Aurora Exploration Programme and give green light for the ExoMars mission], ESA, 12 December 2005 Aurora is an optional program and each state is allowed to decide which part of the program they want to be involved in and to what extent (e.g. how much funds they want to put into the program). The Aurora program was initiated in 2002 with support of twelve nations: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada

In 2007, Canadian-based technology firm MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) was selected for a one-million-euro contract with EADS Astrium of Britain to design and build a prototype Mars rover chassis for the European Space Agency. Astrium was also contracted to design the final rover.{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=67e4d15d-5ecc-4db8-9fe3-f5d904694950&k=48686 |title=B.C. robotics firm lands Martian contract |publisher=CanWest News Service |date=18 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124024833/http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=67e4d15d-5ecc-4db8-9fe3-f5d904694950&k=48686 |archive-date=24 November 2007 }}

File:MAX-C-Rover.jpg]]

File:Oberhausen - Gasometer - Sternstunden 33 ies.jpg, Germany (2009)]]

File:ExoMars mission layout on MASK-2021 airshow.jpg]]

File:25 Euro Österreich 2011 Robotik 89.jpg

In July 2009 NASA and ESA signed the Mars Exploration Joint Initiative, which proposed to utilise an Atlas rocket launcher instead of a Soyuz, which significantly altered the technical and financial setting of the ExoMars mission. On 19 June, when the rover was still planned to piggyback the Mars Trace Gas Orbiter, it was reported that a prospective agreement would require that ExoMars lose enough weight to fit aboard the Atlas launch vehicle with a NASA orbiter.{{cite web |url=http://www.spacenews.com/civil/nasa-could-take-role-european-exomars-mission.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208153312/http://www.spacenews.com/civil/nasa-could-take-role-european-exomars-mission.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2012 |title=NASA Could Take Role in European ExoMars Mission |work=Space News |date=19 June 2009}}

Then the mission was combined with other projects to a multi-spacecraft mission divided over two Atlas V-launches:{{cite news |first=Michael A. |last=Taverna |title=ESA Proposes Two ExoMars Missions |date=19 October 2009 |publisher=Aviation Week |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news%2FExomars101909.xml&headline=ESA%20Proposes%20Two%20ExoMars%20Missions |access-date=23 October 2009 |archive-date=14 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114093557/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news%2FExomars101909.xml&headline=ESA%20Proposes%20Two%20ExoMars%20Missions |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |title=Europe's Mars plans move forward |date=12 October 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8302876.stm |work=BBC News}} the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) was merged into the project, piggybacking a stationary meteorological lander slated for launch in January 2016. It was also proposed to include a second rover, the MAX-C.

In August 2009 it was announced that the Russian Federal Space Agency (now Roscosmos) and ESA had signed a contract that included cooperation on two Mars exploration projects: Russia's Fobos-Grunt project and ESA's ExoMars. Specifically, ESA secured a Russian Proton rocket as a "backup launcher" for the ExoMars rover, which would include Russian-made parts.{{cite news |title=Agreement between ESA and Roscosmos signed at "MAKS 2009" |date=20 August 2009 |publisher=Avio News |url=http://www.avionews.com/index.php?corpo=see_news_home.php&news_id=1108379&pagina_chiamante=index.php |work=WAPA}}{{cite news |title=ESA, Roscosmos Strike Mars Deal |date=20 August 2009 |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1740298/esa_roscosmos_strike_mars_deal/ |work=Red Orbit}}

On 17 December 2009, the ESA governments gave their final approval to a two-part Mars exploration mission to be conducted with NASA, confirming their commitment to spend €850 million ($1.23 billion) on missions in 2016 and 2018.{{cite news |first=Peter B. |last=de Selding |title=ESA Approves Collaborative Mars Program with NASA |date=18 December 2009 |url=http://www.space.com/news/091218-exomars-mission.html |work=Space News}}

In April 2011, because of a budgeting crisis, a proposal was announced to cancel the accompanying MAX-C rover, and fly only one rover in 2018 that would be larger than either of the vehicles in the paired concept.{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |title=US and Europe mull single 2018 Mars rover |date=7 April 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13002214 |work=BBC News}} One suggestion was that the new vehicle would be built in Europe and carry a mix of European and U.S. instruments. NASA would provide the rocket to deliver it to Mars and provide the sky crane landing system. Despite the proposed reorganisation, the goals of the 2018 mission opportunity would have stayed broadly the same.

Under the FY2013 Budget President 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.{{cite news | first=Frank Jr. | last=Morring |title=NASA Units Hope For Robotic Mars Mission in 2018 |date=14 February 2012 |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/asd_02_14_2012_p01-02-424988.xml |work=Aviation Week |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407074505/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2Fasd_02_14_2012_p01-02-424988.xml |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Kremer |title=Experts React to Obama Slash to NASA's Mars and Planetary Science Exploration |date=1 February 2012 |url=http://www.universetoday.com/93512/experts-react-to-obama-slash-to-nasas-mars-and-planetary-science-exploration/ |work=Universe Today}} With NASA's funding for this project completely cancelled, most of these plans had to be restructured.{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Wall |title=When Exploring Other Planets, International Cooperation Is Key |date=22 August 2012 |publisher=Space.com |url=http://www.space.com/17225-planetary-exploration-international-cooperation.html |work=Nature}}

On 14 March 2013, representatives of the ESA and the Russian space agency (Roscosmos), signed a deal in which Russia became a full partner. Roscosmos would supply both missions with Proton launch vehicles with Briz-M upper stages and launch services,{{cite news|title=ESA, Roscosmos Formalize ExoMars Pact|author=Peter B. de Selding|date=March 14, 2013|url=https://spacenews.com/34153esa-roscosmos-formalize-exomars-pact/

|publisher=Space News|access-date=May 14, 2023}} as well as an additional entry, descent and landing module for the rover mission in 2018. Under the agreement, Roscosmos was granted three asking conditions:{{cite news |first=Nikolai |last=Podorvanyuk |title=Insurance from "Phobos-Grunt" to fly to Mars |date=30 March 2012 |url=http://www.gazeta.ru/science/2012/03/30_a_4111965.shtml |work=Gazeta |language=ru}}

1. Roscosmos would contribute two Proton launch vehicles as payment for the partnership.
2. The Trace Gas Orbiter payload shall include two Russian instruments that were originally developed for Fobos-Grunt.{{cite news |title=Russia's participation in the "ExoMars" does not cancel the plans for the "Phobos-Grunt-2" |url=http://www.ria.ru/science/20120320/600999665.html |newspaper=RIA Novosti |date=20 March 2012}}
3. All scientific results must be intellectual property of the European Space Agency and the Russian Academy of Sciences (i.e. Roscosmos would have been be part of all the project teams and would have had full access to research data{{cite web |url=http://en.ria.ru/science/20130314/180014649.html |title=Russia, Europe Sign Mars Probe Project Deal |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=14 March 2013}}).

ESA had originally cost-capped the ExoMars projects at €1 billion, (USD 1.3 billion) but the withdrawal of the U.S. space agency (NASA) and the consequent reorganisation of the venturesy added several hundred million euros to the sum so far raised. So in March 2012, member states instructed the agency's executive to look at how this shortfall could be made up.{{cite news |first=Peter B. |last=de Selding |title=ESA Eyeing Hodgepodge of Funding Sources To Save ExoMars Mission |date=31 May 2012 |url=http://www.spacenews.com/civil/120531-hodgepodge-funding-save-exomars.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910163843/http://www.spacenews.com/civil/120531-hodgepodge-funding-save-exomars.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2012 |work=Space News}} One possibility was that other science activities within ESA may have to step back to make ExoMars a priority.{{cite web |url=http://www.spacenews.com/civil/120516-exomars-one-month-reprieve.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913122819/http://www.spacenews.com/civil/120516-exomars-one-month-reprieve.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 |title=ExoMars Wins One-month Reprieve |work=Space News |date=16 May 2012}} In September 2012 it was announced that new ESA members, Poland and Romania, would be contributing up to €70 million to the ExoMars mission.{{cite news |first=Peter B. |last=de Selding |title=Poland Tripling Space Spending in Bid To Boost Economy |date=19 September 2012 |url=https://spacenews.com/poland-tripling-space-spending/ |work=Space News}} ESA has not ruled out a possible partial return of NASA to the 2018 portion of ExoMars, albeit in a relatively minor role.{{cite news |first=Frank Jr. |last=Morring |title=Appropriators Blocking Mars Mission Move |date=8 March 2012 |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/awx/2012/03/08/awx_03_08_2012_p0-434301.xml&headline=Appropriators%20Blocking%20Mars%20Mission%20Move |work=Aviation Week }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Russia's financing of ExoMars was to be partially covered by insurance payments of 1.2 billion roubles (US$40.7 million) for the loss of Fobos-Grunt, and reassigning funds for a possible coordination between the Mars-NET and ExoMars projects.{{cite web |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/marsnet.html |title=The Mars-NET project |access-date=18 April 2012 |quote=Possible coordination between Mars-NET and European ExoMars project.}}{{cite news |first=Ilya |last=Kramnik |title=Russia takes a two-pronged approach to space exploration |date=18 April 2012 |url=http://indrus.in/articles/2012/04/18/russia_takes_a_two-pronged_approach_to_space_exploration_15511.html |work=Russia & India Report}} On 25 January 2013, Roscosmos fully funded the development of the scientific instruments to be flown on the first launch, the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).{{cite news |author=Staff |title=Roskosmos funds creation of instruments for ExoMars mission |date=25 January 2013 |url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01_25/Roskosmos-funds-creation-of-instruments-for-Exomars-mission/ |work=The Voice of Russia |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513051208/http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01_25/Roskosmos-funds-creation-of-instruments-for-Exomars-mission/ |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}

By March 2014, the lead builder of the ExoMars rover, the British division of Airbus Defence and Space, had started procuring critical components, but the 2018 rover mission was still short by more than 100 million euros, or $138 million. The wheels and suspension system are paid by the Canadian Space Agency and are being manufactured by MDA Corporation in Canada.

The spacecraft containing ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Schiaparelli launched on 14 March 2016 09:31 UTC (Livestream began at 08:30 GMT [03:30 AM EDT]).{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=Mars Mission Blasts Off From Kazakhstan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/science/mars-mission-blasts-off-from-kazakhstan.html |date=14 March 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=14 March 2016}}{{cite web |author=Staff |title=Watch ExoMars Launch (March 14, 2016, 08:30 GMT) |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/Watch_ExoMars_launch |date=10 March 2016 |work=European Space Agency |access-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311082709/http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/Watch_ExoMars_launch |archive-date=11 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |author=Staff |title=Live Video – ExoMars Launch (March 14, 2016, 08:30 GMT) |url=http://livestream.com/ESA/exomars |date=14 March 2016 |work=Livestream |access-date=10 March 2016}} Four rocket burns occurred in the following 10 hours before the descent module and orbiter were released. Signals from the Orbiter were successfully received at 21:29 GMT of the same day, which confirmed that the launch was fully successful and that the spacecraft was on its way to Mars.{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_on_its_way_to_solve_the_Red_Planet_s_mysteries |title=ExoMars on its way to solve the Red Planet's mysteries |publisher=ESA |date=14 March 2016 |access-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026085720/http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_on_its_way_to_solve_the_Red_Planet_s_mysteries |archive-date=26 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} Shortly after separation from the probes, the Briz-M upper booster stage possibly exploded a few kilometers away, however apparently without damaging the orbiter or lander.{{cite news |last=King |first=Bob |url=http://www.universetoday.com/128073/exomars-mission-narrowly-avoids-exploding-booster/ |title=ExoMars Mission Narrowly Avoids Exploding Booster |work=Universe Today |date=24 March 2016 |access-date=25 March 2016 }} The spacecraft, which housed the Trace Gas Orbiter and the Schiaparelli lander, took its nominal orbit towards Mars and was seemingly in working order. Over the next two weeks, controllers continued to check and commission its systems, including the power, communications, startrackers, and guidance and navigation system.{{cite news |last=Thomson |first=Iain |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/03/26/exomars_probe_may_be_in_danger/ |title=ExoMars probe narrowly avoids death, still in peril after rocket snafu |work=The Register |date=26 March 2016 |access-date=26 March 2016 }}

File:Cmglee Cambridge Science Festival 2015 ExoMars Rover.jpg

In January 2016 it was announced that the financial situation of the 2018 mission 'might' require a 2-year delay.{{cite news |url=http://www.industryweek.com/emerging-technologies/money-troubles-may-delay-europe-russia-mars-mission |title=Money Troubles May Delay Europe-Russia Mars Mission |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Industry Week |date=15 January 2016 |access-date=16 January 2016}}{{cite web |title=Proton launches Euro-Russian ExoMars mission, but program's second launch remains in limbo |url=http://spacenews.com/proton-launches-euro-russian-exomars-mission-but-programs-second-launch-remains-in-limbo/ |website=Spacenews.com |date=14 March 2016 |access-date=15 March 2016}} Italy is the largest contributor to ExoMars, and the UK is the mission's second-largest financial backer.{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Clark |title=Facing funding gap, ExoMars rover is on schedule for now |date=3 March 2014 |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1403/03exomars/ |work=Spaceflight Now}}

The rover was scheduled to launch in 2018 and land on Mars in early 2019,{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/20240-mars-missions-russia-europe.html |title=Russia and Europe Team Up for Mars Missions |work=Space.com |date=14 March 2013 |access-date=24 January 2016}} but in May 2016 ESA announced that the launch would occur in 2020 due to delays in European and Russian industrial activities and deliveries of the scientific payload.

On 12 March 2020, it was announced that the second mission was being delayed to launch in 2022 due to the vehicle not being ready for launch in 2020, with delays exacerbated by travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51844030|title=ExoMars Rosalind Franklin: Rover mission delayed until 2022|work=BBC News|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=12 March 2020|access-date=12 March 2020}}

On 28 February 2022, it was announced that the second mission launching in 2022 "was very unlikely" due to the sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.{{cite web| url=https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/ESA_statement_regarding_cooperation_with_Russia_following_a_meeting_with_Member_States_on_28_February_2022| title=ESA statement regarding cooperation with Russia following a meeting with Member States on 28 February 2022| work=ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office – Ninja Menning| date=28 February 2022| access-date=28 February 2022}}

On 17 March 2022, the launch of ExoMars in the 2022 launch window was abandoned, with the permanent suspension of the partnership with Roscosmos.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=ESA suspends work with Russia on ExoMars mission |url=https://spacenews.com/esa-suspends-work-with-russia-on-exomars-mission/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}} However, in November, the European Space Agency member states pledged 360 million euros towards the Rosalind Franklin rover, including covering the cost of replacing Russian components. Now planned to launch in 2028, the rover will carry a next-generation mass spectrometer, the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer, or MOMA.{{cite journal |last1=Drahl |first1=Carmen |title=The long-awaited mission that could transform our understanding of Mars |journal=Knowable Magazine |date=3 May 2023 |doi=10.1146/knowable-050323-1|s2cid=258518639 |doi-access=free |url=https://knowablemagazine.org/article/physical-world/2023/mission-could-transform-understanding-mars |access-date=9 May 2023 |language=en}}

In June 2024, a $567 million contract was awarded to Thales Alenia Space to complete the assembly, integration, and testing of the landing platform, with mechanical, thermal, and propulsion handled by Airbus Defense and Space, and ArianeGroup providing the heat shield. On 16 April 2024, ESA announced a memorandum of understanding with NASA to provide the launch service in late 2028, and that the next mission milestone is the preliminary design review in June 2024.{{Cite web |date=16 May 2024 |title=ESA and NASA join forces to land Europe’s rover on Mars |url=https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/ESA_and_NASA_join_forces_to_land_Europe_s_rover_on_Mars |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240603033421/https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/ESA_and_NASA_join_forces_to_land_Europe_s_rover_on_Mars |archive-date=3 June 2024 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=ESA}}

The scientific objectives, in order of priority, are:{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ExoMars/SEM0VIAMS7F_0.html |title=Scientific objectives – ExoMars |date=1 November 2007 |publisher=European Space Agency (ESA) |access-date=26 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019170339/http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ExoMars/SEM0VIAMS7F_0.html |archive-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}

• to search for possible biosignatures of past Martian life.
• to characterise the water and geochemical distribution as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface.
• to study the surface environment and identify hazards to future human missions to Mars.
• to investigate the planet's subsurface and deep interior to better understand the evolution and habitability of Mars.
• achieve incremental steps ultimately culminating in a sample return flight.

The technological objectives to develop are:

• landing of large payloads on Mars.
• to exploit solar electric power on the surface of Mars.
• to access the subsurface with a drill able to collect samples down to a depth of {{convert|2|m|ft}}
• to develop surface exploration capability using a rover.

ExoMars is a joint programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). According to current plans, the ExoMars project will comprise one orbiter (the Trace Gas Orbiter) and one rover.

The landing module and the rover will be cleaned and sterilised to prevent contaminating Mars with Earth life forms, and also to ensure that any biomolecules detected were not carried from Earth. Cleaning will require a combination of sterilising methods, including ionising radiation, UV radiation, and chemicals such as ethyl and isopropyl alcohol.{{cite news |url=http://phys.org/news/2014-10-mars.html |title=Packing for Mars |work=Pys Org |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=22 October 2014}} (see Planetary protection).

{{Main|ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter}}

The Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is a Mars telecommunications orbiter and atmospheric gas analyzer mission that was launched on 14 March 2016 09:31 UTC.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Stephen |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/09/20/launch-of-european-mars-mission-delayed-two-months/ |title=Launch of European Mars mission delayed two months |work=Spaceflight Now |date=20 September 2015 |access-date=21 September 2015}} The spacecraft arrived in the Martian orbit in October 2016. It delivered the ExoMars Schiaparelli EDM lander and then proceed to map the sources of methane on Mars and other gases, and in doing so, will help select the landing site for the ExoMars rover to be launched in 2022. The presence of methane in Mars's atmosphere is intriguing because its likely origin is either present-day life or geological activity. Upon the arrival of the rover in 2023, the orbiter would be transferred into a lower orbit where it would be able to perform analytical science activities as well as provide the ExoMars rover with a telecommunication relay. NASA provided an Electra telecommunications relay and navigation instrument to ensure communications between probes and rovers on the surface of Mars and controllers on Earth.{{cite news |first=Peter B. |last=de Selding |title=U.S., Europe Won't Go It Alone in Mars Exploration |url=https://spacenews.com/us-europe-wont-go-it-alone-mars-exploration/ |work=Space News|date=October 3, 2012|access-date=December 5, 2022}} The TGO would continue serving as a telecommunication relay satellite for future landed missions until 2022.{{citation |first1=Mark |last1=Allen |first2=Olivier |last2=Witasse |title=MEPAG June 2011 |publisher=Jet Propulsion Laboratory |date=16 June 2011 |url=http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/meeting/jun-11/13-EMTGO_MEPAG_June2011_presentation-rev2.pdf|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929004716/http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/meeting/jun-11/13-EMTGO_MEPAG_June2011_presentation-rev2.pdf|archive-date=29 September 2011}}

{{main|Schiaparelli EDM lander}}

File:Schiaparelli Lander Model at ESOC.JPG

The Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM) called Schiaparelli,{{cite news |first=Sean |last=Patterson |title=ESA Names ExoMars Lander 'Schiaparelli' |date=8 November 2013 |url=http://spacefellowship.com/news/art35863/exomars-lander-module-named-schiaparelli.html |work=Space Fellowship}} was intended to provide the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russia's Roscosmos with the technology for landing on the surface of Mars.{{cite web |url=http://exploration.esa.int/mars/47852-entry-descent-and-landing-demonstrator-module/ |title=Schiaparelli: the ExoMars Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module |work=ESA |date=2013 |access-date=1 October 2014}} It was launched together with the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) on 14 March 2016, 09:31 UTC and was scheduled to land softly on 19 October 2016. No signal indicating a successful landing was received,{{cite news |last=Chan |first=Sewell |title=No Signal From Mars Lander, but European Officials Declare Mission a Success |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/21/science/space/no-signal-from-mars-lander-but-european-officials-declare-mission-a-success.html |date=20 October 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=20 October 2016 }} and on 21 October 2016 NASA released a Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter image showing what appears to be the lander crash site. The lander was equipped with a non-rechargeable electric battery with enough power for four sols. The soft landing should have taken place on Meridiani Planum during the dust storm season, which would have provided a unique chance to characterise a dust-laden atmosphere during entry and descent, and to conduct surface measurements associated with a dust-rich environment.{{cite news |title=Entry, Descent and Surface Science for 2016 Mars Mission |date=10 June 2010 |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110610131834.htm |work=Science Daily}}

Once on the surface, it was to measure the wind speed and direction, humidity, pressure and surface temperature, and determine the transparency of the atmosphere. It carried a surface payload, based on the proposed meteorological DREAMS (Dust Characterisation, Risk Assessment, and Environment Analyser on the Martian Surface) package, consists of a suite of sensors to measure the wind speed and direction (MetWind), humidity (MetHumi), pressure (MetBaro), surface temperature (MarsTem), the transparency of the atmosphere (Optical Depth Sensor; ODS), and atmospheric electrification (Atmospheric Radiation and Electricity Sensor; MicroARES).

F. Esposito, et al., [http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2013/EPSC2013-815.pdf DREAMS for the ExoMars 2016 mission: a suite of sensors for the characterisation of Martian environment"] (PDF). European Planetary Science Congress 2013, EPSC Abstracts Vol. 8, EPSC2013-815 (2013){{cite web |url=http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=48898 |title=EDM surface payload |date=19 December 2011 |work=European Space Agency (ESA)}} The DREAMS payload was to function for 2 or 3 days as an environmental station for the duration of the EDM surface mission after landing.{{cite news |first=J |last=Vago |display-authors=etal |url=http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ESA-Bulletin-155/offline/download.pdf |title=ExoMars, ESA's next step in Mars exploration |work=ESA Bulletin magazine |issue=155 |date=August 2013 |pages=12–23}}

The ExoMars 2022 mission was planned for launch during a twelve-day launch window starting on 20 September 2022, and scheduled to land on Mars on 10 June 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/The_way_forward_to_Mars |title=The way forward to Mars |work=ESA |date=1 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020}} It would have included a German-built cruise stage and Russian descent module.{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/08/28/exomars-rover-leaves-british-factory-heads-for-testing-in-france/ |title=ExoMars rover leaves British factory, heads for testing in France |work=Spaceflight Now |date=28 August 2019 |access-date=5 October 2020}} On 28 February 2022, the ESA announced that, as a result of sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a 2022 launch is "very unlikely."{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/esa-says-its-very-unlikely-exomars-will-launch-this-year/ |title=ESA says it's "very unlikely" ExoMars will launch this year |work=SpaceNews Now |date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022}} On 28 March 2022, the ExoMars rover was confirmed to be technically ready for launch, but the 2022 launch window for the mission is no longer possible due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Rover ready – next steps for ExoMars |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/Rover_ready_next_steps_for_ExoMars |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}} The launch of a revised version of the mission, using a new non-Russian landing platform, is expected to occur no earlier than 2028. The ESA reported that Rosalind will be launched in 2028 in a US rocket with the rover expected to land in 2030 when the planet will not be experiencing a global dust storm.{{Cite web |title=ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover will have a European landing platform |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ExoMars_Rosalind_Franklin_rover_will_have_a_European_landing_platform#:~:text=The%20European%20Space%20Agency%20(ESA)%20has%20selected%20Airbus,past%20and%20present%20signs%20of%20life%20on%20Mars. |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}} In 2022, US announced participation and said to provide the lander and 40 Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) are also kept reserved for this mission.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2023-05-03 |title=Plutonium availability constrains plans for future planetary missions |url=https://spacenews.com/plutonium-availability-constrains-plans-for-future-planetary-missions/ |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

{{Expand section|date=June 2023}}

The lander and Rosalind Franklin rover will be sent to Mars inside the descent module. The descent module will be attached to the carrier module, which will provide power, propulsion, and navigation. The carrier module has 16 hydrazine powered thrusters, 6 solar arrays that will provide electricity, Sun sensors and star trackers for navigation. It was developed and built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany. The carrier module will separate from the descent module right before the stacked spacecraft arrives at Mars.{{Cite web|title=ExoMars carrier module prepares for final pre-launch testing|url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/ExoMars_carrier_module_prepares_for_final_pre-launch_testing|access-date=2022-01-15|website=www.esa.int|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Russia works on ExoMars-2020 lander design|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/exomars2018-2017.html|access-date=2022-01-15|website=www.russianspaceweb.com}}{{Cite web|title=ExoMars 2022 - Satellite Missions - eoPortal Directory|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/content/-/article/exomars-2020|access-date=2022-01-15|website=directory.eoportal.org}}

{{update|date=April 2023}}

Prior to the cancellation of ESA-Roscosmos cooperation on ExoMars, the original plan was to use the Russian-built Kazachok, which the ESA cooperated on. Originally, Rosalind Franklin would descent from the Kazachok lander via a ramp. The lander was expected to image the landing site, monitor the climate, investigate the atmosphere, analyse the radiation environment, study the distribution of any subsurface water at the landing site, and perform geophysical investigations of the internal structure of Mars.{{cite news |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/European_payload_selected_for_ExoMars_2018_surface_platform |title=European payload selected for ExoMars 2018 surface platform |work=European Space Agency (ESA) |date=27 November 2015 |access-date=30 November 2015}} Following a March 2015 request for the contribution of scientific instruments for the landing system,{{cite news |url=http://exploration.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=55672 |title=Announcement of Opportunity for European payload elements on the Surface Platform of the ExoMars 2018 mission |work=European Space Agency (ESA) |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=9 May 2015}} there will be 13 instruments.{{Cite web|url=http://exploration.esa.int/mars/56933-exomars-2020-surface-platform/|title=ExoMars 2020 surface platform|website=exploration.esa.int|language=en-GB|access-date=28 November 2018}} Examples of the instruments on the lander include the HABIT (HabitAbility: Brine, Irradiation and Temperature) package, the METEO meteorological package, the MAIGRET magnetometer, and the LaRa (Lander Radioscience) experiment. The stationary lander was expected to operate for at least one Earth year, and its instruments would have been powered by solar arrays.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iss-reshetnev.com/media/news/news-231116|title=ISS-Reshetnev chosen for ExoMars-2020 project|last=JSC ISS–Reshetnev|language=en|access-date=28 November 2018|archive-date=28 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075647/http://www.iss-reshetnev.com/media/news/news-231116|url-status=dead}}

Following the July 2022 cancellation, ESA has begun work on their own lander, which is expected to take 3 to 4 years to build and qualify. Many components of the ESA lander are reused from the Russian Descent module. Unlike Kazachok, the European lander does not carry solar panels nor science instruments, and is expected to only operate for a few sols.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-13 |title=FAQ: The ‘rebirth’ of ESA’s ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/FAQ_The_rebirth_of_ESA_s_ExoMars_Rosalind_Franklin_mission |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

{{main|Rosalind Franklin (rover)}}

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ExoMars's Rosalind Franklin rover was due to land in June 2023 and to navigate autonomously across the Martian surface. However, the partnership with Russian scientists was cancelled in 2022 as a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began that year.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14789230 |title=Smart UK navigation system for Mars rover |work=BBC News |first=Jonathan |last=Amos |date=5 September 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/news2/astrium-s-mars-rover-demonstrates-autonomous-navigation-capability.html |title=Mars rover Bruno goes it alone |publisher=EADS Astrium |date=14 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203101802/http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/news2/astrium-s-mars-rover-demonstrates-autonomous-navigation-capability.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}{{cite conference |author=J. L. Vago |collaboration=ExoMars Project Team |title=ExoMars Status |conference=20th MEPAG Meeting |publisher=European Space Agency |date=3–4 March 2009 |url=http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/meeting/mar-09/09_ExoMars_Status_MEPAG_09_Final.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320195652/http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/meeting/mar-09/09_ExoMars_Status_MEPAG_09_Final.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2009}} Rosalind Franklin is now projected to launch in 2028.

Instrumentation would consist of the exobiology laboratory suite, known as "Pasteur analytical laboratory" to look for signs of biomolecules and biosignatures from past life.{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ExoMars/SEMSZIAMS7F_0.html |title=The ExoMars Instruments |access-date=8 May 2012 |publisher=European Space Agency |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026132118/http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ExoMars/SEMSZIAMS7F_0.html |archive-date=26 October 2012 }}{{cite press release |url=https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/content/press-info-exomars-status |title=Press Info: ExoMars Status |publisher=Thales Group |date=8 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010438/https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/content/press-info-exomars-status |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://exploration.esa.int/mars/45787-rover-surface-operations/ |title=Rover surface operations |publisher=European Space Agency |date=18 December 2012}} Among other instruments, the rover will also carry a {{convert |2 |m |ft |adj=on}} sub-surface core drill to pull up samples for its on-board laboratory.{{cite news |url=http://www.astrobio.net/index.php?option=com_expedition&task=detail&id=3231 |title=Amase-ing Life on the Ice |work=Astrobiology Magazine |first=Adrienne |last=Kish |date=31 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905171009/http://www.astrobio.net/index.php?option=com_expedition&task=detail&id=3231 |archive-date=5 September 2009 |url-status=dead}} They will have a mass of about {{convert|207|kg |lb|abbr=on}}.

The Rosalind Franklin rover includes the Pasteur instrument suite, including the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA), MicrOmega-IR, and the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS). Examples of external instruments on the rover include:

• Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies
• Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars
• ADRON-RM

File:NASA-OxiaPlanum-GeologicalContext-Morphology-20140514.jpg, near the equator, is the selected landing site for its potential to preserve biosignatures and smooth surface. ]]

A primary goal when selecting the rover's landing site is to identify a particular geologic environment, or set of environments, that would support —now or in the past— microbial life. The scientists prefer a landing site with both morphologic and mineralogical evidence for past water. Furthermore, a site with spectra indicating multiple hydrated minerals such as clay minerals is preferred, but it will come down to a balance between engineering constraints and scientific goals.{{cite news |last=Grindrod |first=Peter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2014/mar/26/life-mars-exomars-spacecraft-landing-site |title=Searching for life on Mars: where should the ExoMars rover land? |work=The Guardian |date=26 March 2014}}

Engineering constraints call for a flat landing site in a latitude band straddling the equator that is only 30° latitude from top to bottom because the rover is solar-powered and will need best sunlight exposure. The landing module carrying the rover will have a landing ellipse that measures about 105 km by 15 km.{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26743089 |title=Europe begins Mars site selection |work=BBC News |date=27 March 2014}}

Scientific requirements include landing in an area with 3.6 billion years old sedimentary rocks that are a record of the past wet habitable environment.{{cite web |url=http://exploration.esa.int/mars/53462-call-for-exomars-2018-landing-site-selection/ |title=Call for ExoMars 2018 Landing Site Selection |publisher=ESA |date=17 December 2013}} The year before launch, the European Space Agency will make the final decision. By March 2014, the long list was:

{{div col|colwidth=10em}}

• Aram Dorsum
• Coogoon Valles
• Hypanis Vallis
• Mawrth Vallis
• Oxia Planum
• Simud Valles
• Southern Isidis

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Following additional review by an ESA-appointed panel, four sites, all of which are located relatively near the equator, were formally recommended in October 2014 for further detailed analysis:{{cite news |url=http://spaceref.com/mars/four-candidate-landing-sites-for-exomars-2018.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141001213700/http://spaceref.com/mars/four-candidate-landing-sites-for-exomars-2018.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2014 |title=Four Candidate Landing Sites for ExoMars 2018 |work=ESA |publisher=Space Ref |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=1 October 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://exploration.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=54707 |title=Recommendation for the Narrowing of ExoMars 2018 Landing Sites |work=ESA |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=1 October 2014}}

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• Aram Dorsum
• Hypanis Vallis
• Mawrth Vallis
• Oxia Planum

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On 21 October 2015, Oxia Planum was reported to be the preferred landing site for the ExoMars rover.{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=ExoMars rover: Landing preference is for Oxia Planum |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34584214 |date=21 October 2015 |work=BBC News |access-date=22 October 2015}}{{cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Nancy |title=Scientists Want ExoMars Rover to Land at Oxia Planum |url=http://www.universetoday.com/123018/scientists-want-exomars-rover-to-land-at-oxia-planum/ |date=21 October 2015 |work=Universe Today |access-date=22 October 2015}}

The delay of the rover mission to 2020 from 2018 meant that Oxia Planum was no longer the only favourable landing site due to changes in the possible landing ellipse. Both Mawrth Vallis and Aram Dorsum, surviving candidates from the previous selection, could be reconsidered. ESA convened further workshops to re-evaluate the three remaining options and in March 2017 selected two sites to study in detail.{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/Final_two_ExoMars_landing_sites_chosen|title=Final two ExoMars landing sites chosen|date=28 March 2017|work=European Space Agency|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401054707/http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/Final_two_ExoMars_landing_sites_chosen|archive-date=1 April 2017|url-status=dead}}

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• Mawrth Vallis
• Oxia Planum

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On 9 November 2018, ESA announced that Oxia Planum was favoured by the Landing Site Selection Working Group. The favored Oxia Planum landing ellipse is situated at 18.20°N, 335.45°E.{{Cite web|url=http://exploration.esa.int/mars/54724-oxia-planum/|title=Oxia Planum|date=27 March 2017|website=European Space Agency|language=en-GB|access-date=17 January 2019}} In 2019, Oxia Planum was confirmed by ESA as the landing site for the planned 2020 mission.{{Cite web|title=Landing site|url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/Landing_site|access-date=2020-07-25|website=www.esa.int|language=en}} Later that year, a flyover video of the landing site was released, created using high-accuracy 3D models of the terrain obtained from HiRISE.{{Cite web|title=Fly over the ExoMars 2020 landing site|url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2019/09/Fly_over_the_ExoMars_2020_landing_site|access-date=2020-07-25|website=www.esa.int|language=en}}

As of July 2020, it has not been stated by ESA if the choice of landing site will be affected by the delay of the mission beyond 2022, similar to the re-evaluation prompted by the first delay in 2018.

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{{Portal|Astronomy|Biology}}

{{cmn|colwidth=30em|

• {{annotated link|Astrobiology}}
• {{annotated link|Beagle 2}}
• {{annotated link|Exploration of Mars}}
• {{annotated link|Life on Mars}}
• {{annotated link|Mars 2020}}
• {{annotated link|Tianwen-1}}
• {{annotated link|Mars Exploration Rover}}
• {{annotated link|Mars sample-return mission}}
• {{annotated link|Mars Science Laboratory}}
• {{annotated link|Signs Of LIfe Detector}}
• {{annotated link|Viking lander biological experiments}}

}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|ExoMars}}

• {{Official website|http://www.esa.int/exomars}}
• [http://exomars.cosmos.ru ExoMars Space Research Institute of Russian Academy of Science site]
• [http://www.esa.int ESA main web site]
• [http://www.russianspaceweb.com/exomars_2016.html The ExoMars project] at RussianSpaceWeb.com
• [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/16/science/space/mars-exomars-spacecraft-arrives.html Arrival at Mars] (The New York Times; 16 October 2016)
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j0Zfwdcfwo Animated video of ExoMars]
• [https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/exomars ExoMars article on eoPortal by ESA]

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