ExoMars is the first mission of ESA’s Exploration Programme, Aurora. The first European Mars rover, it follows in the footsteps of the sucessful NASA MERs and will demonstrate flight and in-situ qualification of key exploration enabling technologies to support European ambitions for future robotic and human exploration missions. The main technology demonstration objectives are: entry, descent and landing (EDL) of a large payload on the surface of Mars; surface mobility using a rover with a mobility range of several kilometres; access to sub-surface using a drill to acquire samples at depths of down to two metres; autonomous navigation using stereo cameras to map a 3D image of the surrounding terrain; automatic sample preparation and distribution for analyses of scientific experiments.
In parallel, important scientific objectives will be accomplished through a state-of-the art scientific payload.
The mission configuration chosen by the participating states after a round of Phase B1 studies, including options for ESA orbiters, is the Enhanced Baseline Mission. The Enhanced Baseline mission scenario envisages a single launch by an Ariane 5 (from the European spaceport in Kourou) in 2016 of a spacecraft composite, consisting of the Carrier Module (CM) and the Descent Module Composite (DMC). The backup launcher is the Proton from Baikonur in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft composite will be compatible with both launchers.
Astrium in the UK is taking the lead in developing the rover vehicle. The rover’s primary task will be to search for evidence of life, past or present, beneath the surface of the Red Planet. It will also collect data to identify potential risk factors for future manned missions, determine water distribution on Mars, and analyse the chemical composition of the planet’s surface.
To carry out its scientific mission, the robot will carry the Pasteur payload, packed with a wide variety of scientific instruments and tools for collecting, processing and analysing samples of Martian soil.
Astrium in Germany is responsible for the development of the landing platform with specific sub-contractors SENER (support and egress system) and AEROSEKUR (airbags). Astrium in France is responsible for the development of the ExoMars heat shields and also involved in the aerothermodynamics for the entry phase of the DMC.
