NEWTOWN, Conn. - Funding has been one of the biggest difficulties for the ExoMars program. In a tough economic environment, many European nations have been slow to commit to spending a large amount of money for space exploration missions.
One of the most important methods ESA has utilized to get extra funding is to cooperate with international partners. NASA joined the program in mid-2009, promising to provide launch vehicles as well as components for the Trace Gas Orbiter in 2016 and a rover in 2018. However, the U.S. is also dealing with its own budget problems. NASA pulled out of the ExoMars program in 2012, leaving ESA scrambling to find a new partner. In March 2013, ESA and Russian space agency Roscosmos signed an agreement to cooperate on the ExoMars project. Russia will provide launch vehicles and equipment for ExoMars.
Funding will likely remain the biggest hurdle in the future, as well. Despite these difficulties, Forecast International expects that the program will continue on schedule. Along with Russian cooperation, funding received a boost when Poland and Romania joined ESA. NASA has also agreed to supply some components, even though it won't fully participate in the effort.
In addition, ESA continues to make progress completing the program. ESA formally awarded the manufacturing contract for the Trace Gas Orbiter to Thales Alenia Space in June 2013. By February 2014, OHB delivered the spacecraft module to Thales Alenia. ESA has also begun testing a rover prototype that will contribute to the 2018 rover. The Trace Gas Orbiter will launch in 2016, while the ExoMars rover will launch in 2018.
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