ExoMars prepares for Launch

Date: Wed, Mar 02, 2016 | 07:30 - 07:45 GMT | 08:30 - 08:45 CET

Replay: Wed, Mar 02, 2016 | 16:00 - 16:15 GMT | 17:00 - 17:15 CET

Type: ESA TV Exchange

Format: 16:9

ExoMars 2016 is being prepared in Baikonur for a launch next 14 March on a Proton rocket.

Lift Off is scheduled at 15h31 Baikonur, 10h31 CET, 9h31 GMT.

The ExoMars programme has high technological and scientific aims: it has been designed to provide Europe with the necessary technology to engage in future planetary exploration missions, including a Mars sample return mission, and it focuses on one of the outstanding open scientific questions of our time: is there life in the Universe beyond Earth?

The main objectives of this mission are to search for evidence of methane and other trace atmospheric gases that could be signatures of active biological or geological processes and to test key technologies in preparation for ESA's contribution to subsequent missions to Mars.

This first mission of the ExoMars programme, scheduled to arrive at Mars in October 2016, consists of a Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) plus an Entry, Descent and landing demonstrator Module (EDM) , known as Schiaparelli.

This Video gives an overview of ExoMars 2016, it includes interviews with ALVARO GIMENEZ, Director of Science and Robotic Exploration, ESA (English); and JORGE VAGO, ExoMars project scientist, ESA [English, Spanish, Italian].

More information at: http://exploration.esa.int/mars/

Preview and download:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2016/03/ExoMars_prepares_for_launch

Script:
EbSI-117137.doc

Satellite Parameters: Eutelsat 9A at 9 degrees E, transponder 59, downlink frequency 11900.1 horizontally polarised, symbol rate 27,500 FEC 2/3.