In the photo above, the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter is fueled at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
In March, Europe’s new era of Mars exploration begins with the launch of the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Schiaparelli.
After a seven-month journey through space, Schiaparelli will separate from the orbiter on October 16 and head towards the planet’s surface, where it will land three days later, on Meridiani Planum.
Meanwhile, the orbiter will begin to maneuver into orbit and, after a year of aerobraking, will begin science operations.
Any long journey requires an ample supply of fuel and on February 21, fueling of TGO began. This spacecraft has one fuel tank and one oxidizer tank, each with a capacity of 1,207 liters.
When fueling is complete, the tanks will contain about 1.5 ton of MON (mixed oxides of nitrogen) and 1 ton of MMH (monomethylhydrazine).
The propellant is needed for the main engine and the 10 thrusters (plus 10 backup thrusters) that are used for fine targeting and critical maneuvers.
Even the propellants have had a long journey: both were procured via Gerling Holz in Germany, brought by ship to St Petersburg in Russia, and then by train to the cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan.
Since fueling is a hazardous exercise, only essential staff – wearing protective suits – are allowed in the fueling area. A team from Thales Alenia Space France is in Baikonur to take care of TGO fuelling, as they did for Schiaparelli.
While this activity is under way, the fire brigade, doctor, security, and safety officers are on hand.
The launch window for the Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli is open March 14–25, 2016.
