ExoMars countdown: one month before landing!
Today is big day for the ExoMars program. On the one hand, we are one month left from the very expected landing on Mars [Actually on October 16, 2016, the Entry Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM), dubbed Schiaparelli, will be released by the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and start its three-day descent towards Mars]. On the other hand, following a trajectory adjustment maneuver, the spacecraft managed to acquire the PreSeparation attitude. Next milestone is scheduled on September 21st when the EDM main Antenna will turn on the Earth.
So close 鈥 and yet so far!
Emotions are running high as everyone is waiting with baited breath for the 鈥済rand finale鈥 of the ExoMars 2016 mission on October 19, 2016, when the Schiaparelli module will land on Mars! But it still has 54 million kilometers to travel before landing. Stay tuned to our own 鈥淢artian Chronicles鈥 for the latest news.
漏 Thales Alenia Space/Master Image Programmes