The ESA Council, chaired by Jean-Yves Le Gall, met on 17–18 October in Paris, France.An Agreement between NASA and ESA on ExoMars 2020 was unanimously approved to include NASA’s Deep Space Network in the mission’s ground segment and to extend Mars proximity relay communications using NASA’s MRO and MAVEN orbiters.
ExoMars 2020Delays of 2–10 months have accumulated on the Rover Pasteur payloads since Ministerial Council 2016 with respect to Lead Funding Agencies’ commitment. This was addressed with the relevant Member States on different occasions. The System Rocket Complex PDR was held in June allowing the consolidation of the spacecraft and combined operations activities plan at Baikonur.Following the consolidation by Lavochkin and Thales Alenia Space Italy of the Descent Module and the Spacecraft Composite AIT activities and because of a longer launch campaign than initially assumed, Thales and Lavochkin were requested to propose an updated schedule that preserves 60 working days of contingencies two years prior to launch. A proposal for a simplified Rover wheelwalking mode is expected from Airbus Defence & Space UK to improve the overall compliance to the locomotion requirements on critical terrains.
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/exomars2018-2017.html
ExoMars 2020The CDRs of the Carrier, Rover and Descent Modules (DM) are ending. Some equipment belonging to the Carrier and Rover Modules encountered difficult development that required close monitoring, lengthy tests and adjustments of design. The second phase of the DM CDR jointly conducted by Roscosmos/TsNIIMash and ESA is ongoing with emphasis on hardware design readiness, specification of software requirements and final analysis of the braking engine/Radar Doppler altimeter plume interference risk.The system CDR is planned for 26 October. An updated ExoMars 2020 project schedule is being created to reflect a full-fledged DM and spacecraft test campaign, introducing 60 working days of contingencies, and assuming a realistic 66-day launch campaign.
First test success for largest Mars mission parachute (article)https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/First_test_success_for_largest_Mars_mission_parachute
Europe's Mars rover takes shapehttp://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43832868
After 7 years of design and development work (and even more for some of my colleagues) the @ESA_ExoMars Rover STM left @AirbusSpace Stevenage this morning for its test campaign in Toulouse. Cracking effort, team! Now fingers crossed for the test! 🤞
Red Planet rover set for extreme environment workout29 May 2018A representative model of the ExoMars rover that will land on Mars in 2021 is beginning a demanding test campaign that will ensure it can survive the rigours of launch and landing, as well as operations under the environmental conditions of Mars.
http://exploration.esa.int/mars/60365-red-planet-rover-set-for-extreme-environment-workout/
http://exploration.esa.int/mars/60365-red-planet-rover-set-for-extreme-environment-workout/QuoteRed Planet rover set for extreme environment workout29 May 2018A representative model of the ExoMars rover that will land on Mars in 2021 is beginning a demanding test campaign that will ensure it can survive the rigours of launch and landing, as well as operations under the environmental conditions of Mars. Image Copyright: Airbus Defence and Space
So, if you spend a billion euros on a space mission, you better be sure it can survive the rocket ride off Earth.
Rover test: What's it like to ride a rocket to Mars?
◾The name can be a single word, a short combination of words, or an acronym.◾It must not have been used for a past, current or proposed space mission.◾Ideas should be accompanied by an explanation of no more than 150 words.◾If a person's name, that person must have died on/before 10 October 1993. ◾The search website will close to entries at 23:59 BST on 10 October 2018.◾A UK Space Agency expert panel will choose the best suggestion.◾The winning entry will earn a tour of the Airbus factory building the rover.◾Think hard! Only one name suggestion will be accepted from each entrant.
Are Americans allowed to make suggestions? Their list for country of residence is all Europe...plus Canada...but not the United States.
5. Eligibility5.1 The competition is only open to individuals resident in a Member State of the European Space Agency and associate members (see 5.2 below), except:(a) the judging panel (in 4.1 and 4.3 above); and(b) members of the immediate families or households of (a) above.5.2 The Member States and associate members of the European Space Agency are: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.