1.52
AU FROM SUN
DISTANCE
227,388,763 km
10 years, 15 days
MISSION DURATION
AND COUNTING
4,332
KG
LAUNCH MASS
1
TARGETS
Mars
ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is a orbiter mission by ESA / Roscosmos targeting Mars. Launched March 14, 2016. Currently 1.52 AU from the Sun.
ABOUT EXOMARS TRACE GAS ORBITER
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter studies Mars’s atmosphere with unprecedented sensitivity, searching for methane and other trace gases that could indicate geological or biological activity. It also serves as a data relay for current and future Mars surface missions.
KEY DISCOVERIES
- No methane detected at sensitivity of 0.05 ppb (contradicting earlier claims)
- Detailed mapping of subsurface water ice
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- Most sensitive trace gas detection at Mars
- Data relay for future ESA Mars surface missions
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (4)
NOMAD (Nadir/Occultation spectrometer)
ACS (Atmospheric Chemistry Suite)
CaSSIS (Color/Stereo camera)
FREND (Neutron detector)
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Launch Mass4,332 kg (9,552 lbs)
PowerSolar panels
Launch VehicleProton-M / Briz-M
Launch DateMarch 14, 2016
Arrival DateOctober 19, 2016
ProgramExoMars
MISSION TRAJECTORY
1
Mars