The launch of the Proton-M rocket with the ExoMars-2016 spacecraft was successful

Today, at 12 hours 31 minutes from the Baikonur cosmodrome, a successful launch of a Proton-M space rocket with spacecraft from the Russian-European research mission ExoMars-2016 took place . On board the rocket - the orbital module ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, the landing module Schiaparelli and scientific equipment, including Russian-made. Total cargo with fuel - 4.3 tons.

The online broadcast of the launch of the 58-meter rocket took place on the Roscosmos website , as well as on the Yandex website (the link was posted on the main page instead of the logo).

After 10 hours, the ExoMars spacecraft will separate from the Briz-M upper stage and go directly to Mars.
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A flight to the orbit of Mars at a distance of 75 million km will take 7 months. Then the landing module with 9 engines and a 12-meter parachute will perform a soft landing on the surface of Mars. Entry into the atmosphere of Mars is scheduled for about October 16. The unique planting technology allows even landing in a dust storm.

The mission "ExoMars" should be a major breakthrough in the study of Mars, according to Russian experts. They are confident that the mystery of methane in the Martian atmosphere will be solved and the areas important for the future exploration of Mars will be explored - those areas where there is a lot of water under the surface, there will be built a habitable station on Mars in the future.

The next period of confrontation with Mars will take place in 2018, then the next stage of the ExoMars mission is planned. Various scenarios are considered for it, including the option of delivering Martian soil back to Earth.