Thales Alenia Space has consolidated its role in space exploration by signing a €522 million contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). The financial agreement ensures the continuation of research into Martian life and defines the future of the ExoMars 2028 mission, with implications for European space science and technology.
The recently signed contract is a significant milestone for the future of Martian exploration. Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between industry leaders Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has been contracted to develop and maintain the Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Module (EDLM), as well as make necessary upgrades to vehicles built for the 2022 mission.
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The mission
The ExoMars 2028 mission is scheduled to launch between October and December 2028 from Kennedy Space Center, with the goal of landing a European rover on Mars in 2030.
The rover is equipped with a drilling system developed by Leonardo, capable of penetrating up to 2 meters below the Martian surface. It will collect samples and analyze their chemical, physical, and biological properties using the Analytical Laboratory Drawer (ALD) developed by Thales Alenia Space. One of the goals of the mission is to search for living or fossilized bacterial life forms on Mars.
Challenges in the development of ExoMars 2028 include the use of innovative materials for thermal protection system during entry into the Martian atmosphere and the development of advanced software for navigation and landing on the planet’s surface.
The use of these technologies will not only increase the safety and effectiveness of the mission, but also facilitate future robotic and human exploration of the entire Solar System.
Thales’s central role in the space exploration program
Thales Alenia Space, as the prime contractor, has played a central role in orchestrating this mission. The Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Module, which the company is contracted to develop, is an indispensable component of the mission.
The EDLM is responsible for managing the critical phases of entry into the Martian atmosphere, controlled descent and precise landing of the rover on the planet’s surface. Equipped with advanced navigation technologies and altimeter radar systems, the EDLM ensures a safe and accurate landing, which is crucial for protecting the onboard scientific instruments intended to conduct critical research on the Martian surface.
In addition to developing the EDLM, the company is responsible for integrating the ALD on the rover, an essential component for conducting in-depth and detailed analyses of Martian soil samples collected by the rover during its Mars mission.
The ALD contains several sophisticated scientific instruments, such as spectrometers, chromatographs, and mass analyzers, designed to perform chemical, physical, and biological analyses.
Finally, Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for developing the onboard computer and conducting assembly, integration, and testing activities, as well as overseeing the launch campaign.
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Looking to the Future
“In the near future, the Moon, with ARTEMIS II and III missions, will be in the spotlight and our company will be in the front seat of manned lunar exploration, working in particular on Orion spacecraft’s European service module, Gateway cislunar space station and lunar multi-purpose habitats. Today’s ExoMars 2028 contract strengthens Thales Alenia Space’s position as a major leader in the field of space exploration.”
–Hervé Derrey, CEO, Thales Alenia Space
By signing this contract, ESA demonstrates a renewed commitment to the search for evidence of life on Mars, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and technological innovation. Thales Alenia Space is a key player in the race towards new frontiers in space.
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