This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of any company or product ExoMars launch preparations. Proton rocket being prepared for t

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This image may not be used to state or imply ESA endorsement of any company or product ExoMars launch preparations. Proton rocket being prepared for the launch of the European Space Agency's ExoMars spacecraft in March 2016. This is a Proton-M ILV rocket, with a Breeze-M upper stage, on the launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. At 09:31 GMT (15:31 local time) on 14 March 2016, this rocket launched the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Schiaparelli, the ExoMars Demonstrator Module (EDM) lander, into Earth orbit. The spacecraft will arrive at Mars in October 2016. TGO will look for methane in the Martian atmosphere. Schiaparelli will test landing technologies, and land scientific instruments to study surface conditions.

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Size: 3350px × 5018px
Photo credit: © EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY/B. Bethge/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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