The joint space research project of the European and Russian Mars Mission is finally taking shape. The rover is scheduled to launch in 2022.
The rover is named Rosalind Franklin Rover and this is the first time that the two have joined for a common project of searching for life on the surface of the red planet.
The regulation of fit-check was conducted by the engineers at the factory of Thales Alenia Space situated at Cannes, France.
The robot assembled by the UK is fitted in a folding configuration on the top of the lander. As the journey is long, the rover requires a safe touchdown.
The lander and the rover will be captivated in a capsule and attach to the cruise model.
The capsule is made with the sole purpose of saving the Rosalind Franklin Rover and the Kazachok platform from the extremely searing heat while entering the Martian atmosphere. The cruise model is the vehicle that will make sure the whole mission to cruise over the surface of Mars.
In order to make this a successful event, all the elements must go through a routine check-up or fit-check along with an assessment of power, electrical, and data-connection among the elements.
When everything appears to be good to go, the four major parts of the ‘Stack’ will be dissembled and delivered to the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan.
The re-assemble will take place at the launch site along with some insertion of radioisotope heaters to the rover. This will help Rosalind Franklin to avoid the freezing temperature on Mars.
The mission is targeting a deadline of September 2022 liftoff with a landing on the surface of Red Planet in the June of 2023. The destination is set to be an ancient terrain, named Oxia Planum.
The scientists are hoping that there could be some proof of microbial activity only if they existed in the billions of years of the past on the planet.
The joint European-Russian venture, known as the ExoMars project would have left earth in the middle of this year only. However, due to the delay in preparing the hardware amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the project is post-scheduled.
The rover will have an advanced drilling system where it will be able to dig up samples to 2 meters below the red surface.
After touchdown, the Rosalind Franklin Rover will stand up, deploy its solar panels and hoist its mast in order to start its journey in the vast red landscape of Mars.
