Summary Reader Response Draft 1

 The European Space Agency ExoMars

In the 2016 Exomars mission, a Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and a landing module which was connected to the TGO was launched.

The main goal of the ExoMars mission is to find signs of life on Mars. This is done by searching for trace gases on Mars atmosphere. Trace gases like methane and water vapour are gases which “provide evidence for possible biological or geological activity on Mars” (NASA Science, 2019). The key trace gas of interest is methane as most of the methane on earth is produced by living things or geological activity, and this may also be true on Mars.

The TGO has four sets of science instruments to help achieve its goal. Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS), Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS), Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND) and Nadir and Occultation for MArs Discovery (NOMAD).

NOMAD combines three spectrometers, two infrared and one ultraviolet, to perform high-sensitivity orbital identification of atmospheric components, including methane and many other species, via both solar occultation and direct reflected-light nadir observations. ACS complements NOMAD by extending the coverage at infrared wavelengths. CaSSIS will image and characterise features on the martian surface that may be related to trace-gas sources. FREND will map subsurface hydrogen to a depth of one metre to reveal deposits of water-ice hidden just below the surface along with locations identified as sources of the trace gases


The ExoMars programme was a success as the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) fulfilled its central goal of getting data on trace gases present on Mars and in spite that its landing module crashed.

Data obtained from past rovers and spacecraft shows that methane is present on Mars, but it is not known where the methane comes from. The TGO however showed that methane is not present on Mars, even though “its instruments are more sensitive to tiny amounts than any of the instruments used previously” (Anderson, 2019). With TGO’s data, it is now known that methane on Mars must be released sporadically.

The TGO has also gotten data on three other trace gases: ethane, ethylene and phosphine. Ethane and ethylene are present for a short while after methane is broken down by sunlight, which shows that if detected by the TGO, it must mean that it has been released by a recent or ongoing process. Phosphine on earth is mostly biologically produced and if it is present on Mars it could mean a possible sign of life. Data from the TGO showed no presence of any of these three gases on Mars atmosphere.

The ExoMars Entry, Descent, and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM) Schiaparelli crashed on Mars 3 days after being separated from the TGO. After entering Mars atmosphere, the module experienced unexpected high rotation rates. This resulted in the lander’s rotation rate measurement to exceed the expected range which resulted in a “large altitude estimation error by the guidance, navigation and control system software”(The European Space Agency, 2021). This led to the computer calculating that it was below ground level and executed its landing protocols earlier and for a shorter amount of time then needed.

However, there were also benefits from Schiaparelli’s unfortunate crash. The engineering information from Schiaparelli’s descent was able to be obtained and this information could be used to study what worked and what did not which could help in planning future landings like ExoMars 2020 rover and surface platform mission. This is very important, given that landing on Mars is not easy. At the time of ExoMars launch in 2016, only 7 spacecraft had landed successfully on Mars. 

The ExoMars mission is a success as it has achieved its main goal by gathering more information about trace gases in Mars atmosphere and continues to do so even now. Data obtained from TGO can supplement data collected from other orbiters and rovers present on Mars. Since data from the descent was able to be collected, these data would help in the planning of future landing modules.    

 

References

The European Space Agency. (20 July 2021). ExoMars orbiter continues hunt for key signs of life on Mars.

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/ExoMars_orbiter_continues_hunt_for_key_signs_of_life_on_Mars. [Accessed on 6 October 2021]

 

Emily Calandrelli (21 October 2016) A failed lander and a working orbiter – everything we know about ESA’s ExoMars mission. TechCrunch.

https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/20/failed-robot-and-working-orbiter-what-we-know/ [Accessed on 6 October 2021]


Paul Scott Anderson (2 January 2019) Has Mars’ methane gone missing?. EarthSky.

https://earthsky.org/space/esa-exomars-trace-gas-orbiter-missing-methane/ [Accessed on 6 October 2021]

 

NASA Science. (25 April 2019) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter / Schiaparelli.

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/exomars-trace-gas-orbiter-schiaparelli/in-depth/ [Accessed on 6 October 2021]

 

The European Space Agency. (24 May 2017) Schiaparelli landing investigation completed.

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/Schiaparelli_landing_investigation_completed [Accessed on 6 October 2021]

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