Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Roll out completed, launcher in vertical position on the pad: Proton-M launcher from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
Credit: ESA – B. Bethge

The European Space Agency’s ExoMars 2016 spacecraft is primed and ready to go – slated for liftoff on March 14 atop a Russian Proton-M launcher from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

This first mission of ESA’s ExoMars program consists of a Trace Gas Orbiter plus an entry, descent and landing demonstrator module, known as Schiaparelli.

Launch is scheduled for 09:31 GMT (10:31 CET) on March 14 with first acquisition of signal expected at around 21:29 GMT (22:29 CET).

An objective of the mission is to search for evidence of methane and other trace atmospheric gases that could be signatures of active biological or geological processes and to test key technologies in preparation for ESA’s contribution to subsequent missions to Mars.

For a video view of the rollout, go to:

http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2016/03/ExoMars_2016_rollout

NOTE: Livestreaming of the launch will begin on March 14 at 08:30 UTC (09:30 CET) available at:

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/Watch_ExoMars_launch

ExoMars 2016 is encapsulated into the payload fairing. Credit: ESA-B. Bethge

Artist’s impression of the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Schiaparelli – the entry, descent and landing demonstrator module.
Credit: ESA/ATG medialab