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ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter : European Space Agency

ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter : European Space Agency

The European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) recently flashed an encoded message to Earth from its orbit around Mars.

  • ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is the first in a series of joint missions between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency.
  • Goal is to gain a better understanding of methane and other atmospheric gases that are present in small concentrations  in the Martian atmosphere.
  • The orbiter’s sensitivity to hydrogen has also allowed it to search for water buried underneath shallow layers of Martian soil.
  • It’s also meant to test technology for future missions.
  • It was launched in March 2016and began operations after entering Mars orbit on Oct. 19, 2016.
  • TGO carried the Schiaparelli landerwith it to Mars. However, it was crashed during landing.
  • The spacecraft itself is a 3.2 meter by 2 meter by 2 meter box, fitted with one antenna to communicate with Earth and another to communicate with spacecraft on the surface of Mars.
  • It is powered by a pair of solar arrays that protrude from its sides like wings, along with two small batteries to keep it running during eclipses, when it doesn’t receive any sunlight.