ExoMars progress update

ExoMars 2020 has passed a number of milestones. The European carrier module was delivered in March. The European rover, which contains nine instruments, has been assembled by Airbus UK and is under environmental testing in Toulouse. It should be integrated with the spacecraft by the end of the year. The spacecraft is now in the Thales Alenia Space test facilities in Cannes to start the environmental and performance verification test campaign that will last until February 2020.

However, there remain some important challenges ahead for the parachute system of the descent module. Recent balloon high-altitude drop tests were unsuccessful. As a result, the next and final two drop tests, scheduled between January and March 2020, must be fully successful otherwise the mission cannot launch in 2020.

The joint ESA and Russian mission consists of four elements: a carrier module to propel the spacecraft to Mars, a descent module, a surface science platform and the Rosalind Franklin rover, which will use its drill up to depths of two meters to search for signs of life.

#ESA
#ExoMars
#RosalindTheRover

[whatdamath]

This would be an incredible achievement for Europe and the final end of the Russian Mars curse

[ig-a]

Latest news! Thanks for sharing, ESA!
I believe that this "race to the clock" will be won by all these well concerted efforts of all involved.
Every success to ESA's and Russia's ExoMars mission!
Collaboration inspires!!
🌏🚀✨🎇🎇

[eduardopadilla]

Very interesting how it goes the evolution of exonars!

[vincentkuhlmann]

Nice to see follow-ups on missions, creates a way tighter bond and clearer view on what goes into the mission and how it works, certainly when you're used to only see announcement videos of missions! :)

[NOLNV]

Schiaparelli had an unfortunate end, it's a good thing the mission has kept going with the trace gas orbiter and now with a fully developed rover component as well! Hoping for the best, and I'm always happy to see collaboration from russia as they have a long and excellent aerospace history!

[chikenmilk]

Thank you esa, my hopes are really up for Mars!

[dimanlox]

Hope it will launch this year, amazing project.

[NoiseMachine]

i'm sure you going to solve the parachute issue in time for the 2020 launch! go ExoMars!

[OsmoseCosmo]

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL ACCENT CHER MONSIEUR😂😘😘

[Benj_]

Very exiting
Can’t wait for a European Rover!

[marsmountain]

This is very interesting! Since NASA and CNSA also have plans to launch for Mars in 2020, I wonder if the mission profiles are overlapping or if there are any collaboration efforts on any level. However, I really hope at least one of the space agencies gets to launch in 2020!

[anaolival]

Obrigada ESA pelas boas notícias, pelo vídeo e explicações. Força, andamento rápido, 2020 está aí. Lisboa/Portugal

[vimalramachandran]

Really hoping that you can launch in 2020. I have been looking forward to this mission for a long time. Don't want to wait another 2 years.

[ProjectPhysX]

Was that brown smoke in the rocket exhaust at 0:14 supposed to be?

[TuFRyDa]

Update: launch delayed till 2022 because of parachute problems.

[ItsnotCelery]

how can the chute be tested correctly when the atmosphere is thinner?

[epsospremium]

Nice to see that Europe is building rovers for Mars too.
Let's grow some plants in there and smoke them for fun.

[srk]

Am happy that the 2020 European Mars rover is being named after Rosalind Franklin. This lady Rosalind Franklin is the actual person who discovered DNA . She is a female who I admire always .

[mitseraffej]

Considering the differences in atmospheric densities how much value is there in testing a parachute system in Earths atmosphere when it’s designed for landing on Mars. I’m sure they know what they are doing, definitely know more than me.

[CoolBreezeAnthony]

If there are being introduced, multiple wheels, if one wheel becomes damaged for some reason, it would be a good thing if the rovers could find some way to remove the bad wheel so as not to obstruct mobility. And spare wheels would be exactly what the doctor ordered. Spare parts need to be delivered and stored on Mars and robots controlled remotely as well as a second set of rovers parked for future use and so on.