Baikonur ready to launch Mars research vehicle – BBC News

Launch vehicle “Soyuz-2.1b” the night before successfully placed into orbit remote sensing satellite. Initially start was to be held on Saturday, but at the last minute automatic shut off the engine. Baikonur is in full swing preparing for the next start – this afternoon should go into space rocket “Proton-M”. She will fly to the neighbor of the Earth through the solar system Mars

The excitement, which Cosmodrome not seen for a long time -. The set group of leading European broadcasters, all arrived at Space Center South. On the agenda of the Millennium mystery – whether there is life on Mars. The answer to this question just goes to look for the carrier rocket “Proton-M”.

A few hours before the start of the joint mission, “Roskosmos” and the European Space Agency. The missile is already on the launch pad, and research modules, which are sent to study the Red Planet have passed all the preflight tests. Scientists know – on Mars have traces of methane, it is necessary to prove that there is a bacterial life

“We are more than satisfied with the cooperation of the European Space Agency, and this will allow us to come to new discoveries” -. Said Igor Komarov , the head of “Roskosmos”.

So close to unraveling the mysteries of the distant planet of mankind is not to select. The first results of the project “exomars” promises after 7 months when the orbiter TJO will reach the Martian atmosphere. It will answer the question: where are the trace gases – from the bowels of the planet, or due to microorganisms. However, the ultimate goal is much bigger – by 2018 the ninth year to deliver the rover to the planet, to mount a fixed platform, begin drilling and try to find something alive to a depth of 2 meters. The intention over the real – which is why the technology to hone the transport of complex structures on Mars begin now. Module “Schiaparelli”, which is a part of Proton expects to launch at Baikonur for the first time will test on itself landed in a controlled manner – with the help of parachutes and the navigation device will be controlled in real time

“By launching this program, we multiply. World heritage, makes an important step in the development of science, establish a geopolitical cooperation between the two countries “, – said Ian Vёrner, representative of the European space Agency

imagine a high-profile space projects without Russia is impossible today -. and Europe does not hide. This technology provides the Russian foreign launch into orbit, it is most advantageous. It is the domestic unit is responsible for relaying data to the ground – a time-tested

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