NEWTOWN, Conn. - In a tough economic environment, funding has been one of the biggest difficulties for the ExoMars program. European nations have been slow to commit to spending a large amount of money for space exploration missions. In fact, the ExoMars Rover is still estimated to need an additional EUR175 million to pay for completion.
One of the most important methods ESA has utilized to get extra funding is cooperation 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 crunch. 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.
While the conflict between Russia and Ukraine threatens cooperation between Europe and Moscow, there has been no interruption in the ExoMars program yet. 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 will not fully participate in the effort.
The Trace Gas Orbiter launched aboard a Proton on March 13, 2016. The launch followed a progression of milestones. 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, and the TGO and EDM were mated for the first time in April 2015.
The ExoMars Rover is having more problems. Although ESA has tested a prototype and released an Announcement of Opportunity for scientific instruments, delays have cropped up. Instrument delays have pushed back a launch from 2018 to 2020.
You have 0 item(s) in your cart