The ExoMars spacecraft built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor for the European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully completed its In-Orbit Commissioning Review (IOCR).
The ExoMars spacecraft has been speeding on its mission towards Mars and its In-Orbit Commissioning Review milestones, thus far, have all been met.
The ExoMars spacecraft built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor for the European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully completed its In-Orbit Commissioning Review (IOCR),
Thales Alenia Space has analyzed the results of the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and commissioning operations to draw up a report submitted to ESA. The report confirms the full functionality of the spacecraft’s two constituent modules: EDM (Entry and Descent Module) and TGO (Trace Gas Orbiter). Tests on the TGO during the LEOP phase confirmed that the satellite’s temperatures are within operational limits; the propulsion subsystem (Reaction Control System RCS) is operating as expected and energy consumption is nominal. The electrical parameters (voltage and current) remain stable in relation to the results of tests on Earth.
“We are delighted to confirm that the spacecraft is in excellent shape, everything being proceeding on schedule and to ensure that Thales Alenia Space’s team of technicians and engineers is hard at work preparing for the spacecraft’s rendezvous with Mars on October 19, 2016,” declared Walter Cugno, Exomars Program Director at Thales Alenia Space. “We are also very proud to have earned thanks from the European Space Agency (ESA) for the excellent work performed,” he added.
While ExoMars continues its journey towards Mars, Thales Alenia Space is completing its negotiations with ESA concerning activities for the follow-on of the interplanetary cruise, Mars approach and operational phases. Thales Alenia Space has recently signed a Record of Agreement with ESA for the second mission of this program, the Rover and Surface Platform Mission, expected to take place at the end of 2020.
Next milestones
- Mid-June—second TGO payload and EDM check-out.
- Beginning of July—commissioning of the main TGO engine by performing a slight powered maneuver.
- July 28 - DSM (Deep Space Maneuver), to place the spacecraft into the trajectory needed for it to land on Mars.
- August 11—trajectory adjustment.
- September-October—simulation of the landing on Mars.
- October 16—EDM separates from the orbiter. October 19—TGO enters into Martian orbit, while the EDM simultaneously lands on Mars.