Topic summary
Trace Gas Orbiter
ESA mission insignia for the ExoMars 2016 launch, featuring the Trace Gas Orbiter (left) and Schiaparelli (right)
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO or ExoMars Orbiter) is a collaborative project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Roscosmos agency that sent an atmospheric researchorbiter and the Schiaparelli demonstration lander to Mars in 2016 as part of the European-led ExoMars programme. A key goal is to gain a better understanding of methane (CH4) and other trace gases present in the Martian atmosphere that could be evidence for possible biological activity.
Manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, TGO's major scientific payloads were developed by Belgium, France, Russia, and Switzerland. TGO launched on a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 on 14 March 2016. The Trace Gas Orbiter delivered the Schiaparelli lander on 16 October, which crashed on the surface due to a premature release of the parachute. TGO has been orbiting Mars since 19 October 2016 and performing science observations of the planet since April 2018.
The ExoMars programme will continue with the Rosalind Franklin rover in 2028, which will search for biomolecules and biosignatures; the TGO will operate as the communication link for the lander and rover and provide communication for other Mars surface probes with Earth.