ExoMars is the next ESA mission to Mars, as part of the Aurora programme, scheduled for launch 2018. The mission is expected to include a base station comprising of a geophysical and environmental package together with a rover module carrying a suite of geochemical instruments.
The principle scientific objectives of the mission are:
- To search for signs of past and present life on Mars
- To characterise the water/geochemical environment as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface
- To study the surface environment and identify hazards to future human missions
- To investigate the planet’s subsurface and deep interior to better understand the evolution and habitability of Mars
PSSRI is the lead or joint lead institute for three ExoMars projects:
The UV-Vis Spectrometer: PSSRI plan to be the PI for this instrument to understand the astrobiological implications of the martian electomagnetic environment and variations in the surface flux
The Advanced Environmental Package: With joint-PI University of Oxford we seek to monitor the physical environment in the vicinity of the base station.
Entry and Descent Landing System; working with ESA to ensure spacecraft security during entry and descent as well as an opportunity to investigate the martian atmosphere.
