BAIKONUR (Kazakhstan), March 14 -. RIA Novosti, Alexander Kovalev Launch of the first in the history of EU-Russia cooperation mission to search for life on Mars ExoMars 2016 is scheduled for 12.31 MSK Monday from the Baikonur cosmodrome on . carrier rocket “Proton-M”
“The main objective of the mission in 2016 – find evidence of methane in the planet’s atmosphere, which could confirm the worldwide presence of life or activity in the present or the past of Mars, as well as check key technologies for the second expedition ExoMars, scheduled for 2018, “- told RIA Novosti, the representative of the state corporation” Roscosmos “
The mission to search for life
Scientists believe that methane decomposes under the influence of ultraviolet. solar radiation and can be about 300-600 years, which is a very short time in geological time scales. This means that the gas that is present on Mars now, could not be produced 4.5 billion years ago when the planets formed the solar system, so it is logical to try to look for signs of life on the planet.
It is known that more than 90% methane on Earth is produced by living organisms. Recently, this gas was registered in the regions of Mars, adjacent to the northern hemisphere, causing great interest among scientists, since it may well be of biological origin. It is proved that in the world there are bacteria species methanogenes, capable of producing methane as a result of metabolism deep beneath the surface. Scientists suggest that below the permafrost layer on Mars similar bacteria is also quite able to survive and produce methane.At the same time, the specialists there are other logical explanation for the presence of methane. An alternative view is that the Martian methane – geological origin, and could turn out as a result of the oxidation of iron, as it happens in the world next to the hot springs or near active volcanoes. Both these theories have the right to life and can be tested in two missions ExoMars.
“Thanks to the implementation of the second phase of the ExoMars mission in 2018 in Europe and Russia is the first time be possible to drill the soil of Mars two meters in depth “- said in this connection, the head of the permanent mission of the European space agency (ESA) in Russia Rene Pischel
The Russian contribution
The space research Institute (IKI) RAS -. one of the main creators of the unique spectrometric complex atmospheric chemistry Suite (ACS) to study the chemical composition of the Martian atmosphere the orbiter TGO. . Supervisor complex – Oleg Korablev, head of the physics of planets IKI
The complex includes four instruments: the first – Fourier – spectrometer for monitoring the three-dimensional temperature field, including at different altitudes, aerosols, mapping and detection of minor components of the atmosphere.
The second instrument is the Echelle spectrometer, near-infrared range and is designed to monitor vertical profiles of carbon monoxide and water vapor, study day glow molecular oxygen, as well as search for the night glow, caused by photochemical processes in the atmosphere Mars.
Another Echelle spectrometer mid-infrared range needed to measure methane, deuterium to hydrogen ratio, the search of small atmospheric components and the study of aerosols Red Planet. The fourth device is a complex electronic unit for the collection of scientific information and communications with the spacecraft.
In addition, TGO mounted Russian neutron detector FREND (Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector), which includes dosimetry module. The developers of the complex – the Institute for Space Studies and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences technology. The scientific head of the project -. Igor Mitrofanov, head of nuclear planetary IKI
The device is designed for the study of the global distribution of water ice in the upper layer of the Martian soil and radiation environment in orbit. The detector will continue studies initiated by Russian HEND on-board unit “Mars Odyssey” (Mars Odyssey, NASA), but with a high spatial resolution.
The flight program to the Red Planet
According to the calculations ballistics, the first phase of the mission will take about seven months, and will be able to arrive at Mars in mid-October. Three days prior to entry into the atmosphere of Mars descent module of Schiaparelli samoizvlechetsya orbiter Orbiter, and then begin to decline at the surface of the Red Planet. According to calculations, the speed of its entry into the Martian atmosphere will be about 21 thousand kilometers per hour. The slowdown will be due to deceleration in the atmosphere and subsequent ejection of the parachute, working in tandem with a system of rudder until landing on the planet’s surface.
© photo: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS
From the moment of separation to the landing module will keep in touch through the orbiter. ExoMars Orbiter will initially rotate in an elliptical orbit around Mars, and then, after passing through the atmosphere, will go into a circular orbit at an altitude of about 400 kilometers to study the gas composition of the planet.
The agreement on cooperation in the exploration of Mars and other bodies in the solar system robotic means was signed between Roskosmos and the European Space Agency (ESA) March 14, 2013. The agreement establishes Russia’s participation in ExoMars and implies further potential projects in the field of Jupiter and lunar exploration.
The agreement provides for the full participation of Russian scientists and engineers in all the international scientific and technical groups that are created within the ExoMars, as well as equal rights of Russian and European participants of the project on scientific data. Russia is involved in the removal of vehicles in space and in the scientific program of both phases of the project. In Russia, it will also be created by a combination of ESA ExoMars Ground scientific complex project for the reception and processing of scientific information.
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