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Mars methane mission set for lift-off Mars methane mission set for lift-off
(about 1 hour later)
Europe and Russia are about to launch a joint mission to the Red Planet.Europe and Russia are about to launch a joint mission to the Red Planet.
A Proton rocket is going hurl a satellite to Mars to investigate whether the methane in its atmosphere is coming from a geological source or is being produced by microbes.A Proton rocket is going hurl a satellite to Mars to investigate whether the methane in its atmosphere is coming from a geological source or is being produced by microbes.
If all goes well, the two space powers expect to follow up this venture with a rover, to be assembled in the UK, which will drill into the surface.If all goes well, the two space powers expect to follow up this venture with a rover, to be assembled in the UK, which will drill into the surface.
That could launch in 2018, or, as seems increasingly likely, in 2020.That could launch in 2018, or, as seems increasingly likely, in 2020.
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is primed to lift off from the famous Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 15:31 local time (09:31 GMT) on Monday.The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is primed to lift off from the famous Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 15:31 local time (09:31 GMT) on Monday.
It will take the carrier rocket more than 10 hours to put the satellite on the right trajectory to go to Mars.It will take the carrier rocket more than 10 hours to put the satellite on the right trajectory to go to Mars.
This involves a series engine burns on the Proton's Breeze upper-stage that should eventually fling the TGO away from Earth with a relative velocity of 33,000km/h.This involves a series engine burns on the Proton's Breeze upper-stage that should eventually fling the TGO away from Earth with a relative velocity of 33,000km/h.
The flight sequence is sure to strain the nerves of space agency officials.The flight sequence is sure to strain the nerves of space agency officials.
For Russia especially, the Red Planet represents a destination of wretched fortune.For Russia especially, the Red Planet represents a destination of wretched fortune.
It has previously launched 19 missions to the fourth planet from the Sun, and most of those have been outright failures.It has previously launched 19 missions to the fourth planet from the Sun, and most of those have been outright failures.
Many could not to get off the pad cleanly; others simply stalled above the Earth and fell back down; a few crashed and burned at Mars or sailed straight past.Many could not to get off the pad cleanly; others simply stalled above the Earth and fell back down; a few crashed and burned at Mars or sailed straight past.
Assuming everything works out this time, controllers at the European Space Agency's operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, can expect a signal from the TGO after it has been released on its way by the Breeze boost stage.Assuming everything works out this time, controllers at the European Space Agency's operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, can expect a signal from the TGO after it has been released on its way by the Breeze boost stage.
This should come through at 21:28 GMT. It is then a seven-month cruise to Mars.This should come through at 21:28 GMT. It is then a seven-month cruise to Mars.
Three days out from arrival, on 16 October, the satellite will eject a small landing module known as Schiaparelli.Three days out from arrival, on 16 October, the satellite will eject a small landing module known as Schiaparelli.
Once on the surface, on 19 October, its aim is to operate a few science instruments, but engineers are primarily interested to see how the module performs during the entry, descent and touchdown.Once on the surface, on 19 October, its aim is to operate a few science instruments, but engineers are primarily interested to see how the module performs during the entry, descent and touchdown.
In particular, Schiaparelli will showcase a suite of technologies - radar, computers and their algorithms - that will be needed to put a later, British-built rover safely on the planet.In particular, Schiaparelli will showcase a suite of technologies - radar, computers and their algorithms - that will be needed to put a later, British-built rover safely on the planet.
This second step in the joint European-Russian ExoMars project is supposed to leave Earth in 2018, although this is now looking increasingly doubtful because of funding and scheduling issues. Many connected with ExoMars are now talking about 2020 as being a more realistic launch date.This second step in the joint European-Russian ExoMars project is supposed to leave Earth in 2018, although this is now looking increasingly doubtful because of funding and scheduling issues. Many connected with ExoMars are now talking about 2020 as being a more realistic launch date.
Schiaparelli's demonstration landing on 19 OctoberSchiaparelli's demonstration landing on 19 October
None of this affects the TGO mission, however.None of this affects the TGO mission, however.
After it has dropped off Schiaparelli, the satellite will spend the better part of a year manoeuvring itself into a 400km-high circular orbit above Mars.After it has dropped off Schiaparelli, the satellite will spend the better part of a year manoeuvring itself into a 400km-high circular orbit above Mars.
From this vantage point, the TGO's state-of-the-art instruments will then make a detailed inventory of Mars' atmospheric gases. From this vantage point, the orbiter's state-of-the-art instruments will then make a detailed inventory of Mars' atmospheric gases.
Methane is the key interest. Previous observations - by satellite, Earth-based telescopes and America's Curiosity rover on the surface of the planet - indicate the hydrocarbon is present in very low concentrations, at just a few parts per billion by volume. Methane is the key interest. Previous observations - by satellite, Earth-based telescopes and America's Curiosity rover on the surface of the planet - found the hydrocarbon to be present in very low concentrations, at just a few parts per billion by volume.
That it is there at all is surprising. Ultraviolet light should remove the gas from the atmosphere within a few hundred years, which indicates it is being replenished somehow. That it is there at all is surprising. Ultraviolet light should remove the gas from the atmosphere within a few hundred years, which suggests it must be replenished somehow.
Once possible active source involves geological activity at depth, where water could be reacting with rock minerals to produce hydrogen, which is then further processed into methane. One possible active source involves geological activity at depth, where water could be reacting with rock minerals to produce hydrogen, which is then further processed into methane.
Another tantalising prospect is that the source is biological in origin.Another tantalising prospect is that the source is biological in origin.
Most of the methane in Earth's atmosphere comes from microbes, like those in the stomachs of ruminants.Most of the methane in Earth's atmosphere comes from microbes, like those in the stomachs of ruminants.
There are no cows on Mars, but simple organisms could conceivably be operating just below the surface of the planet.There are no cows on Mars, but simple organisms could conceivably be operating just below the surface of the planet.
The TGO's measurements should throw some light on these competing ideas.The TGO's measurements should throw some light on these competing ideas.
Russia's torrid history of Mars missionsRussia's torrid history of Mars missions
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmosJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos