The European Space Agency's Mars exploration mission 'ExoMars' has been suspended due to Russia's military invasion, and consideration of a partner to replace Russia is also being considered.



Countries are coordinating sanctions against Russia, which is

invading Ukraine, and Russia is taking retaliation measures such as suspending sales of rocket engines and abolishing patent protection . Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) has decided to suspend the Mars exploration mission ' ExoMars ', saying that it is impossible to continue cooperation with Russia's state-owned space development company Roscosmos .

ESA-ExoMars suspended
https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/ExoMars_suspended

ESA suspends work with Russia on ExoMars mission --SpaceNews
https://spacenews.com/esa-suspends-work-with-russia-on-exomars-mission/

Mars mission on hold indefinitely after European Space Agency cuts ties with Russia | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/esa-exomars-cuts-ties-russia

Russia's military invasion of Ukraine is feared to affect space development, and in fact Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin has announced that rocket engines will be discontinued and will be on the International Space Station (ISS). It also hints at the suspension of cooperation. At the time of writing the article, NASA stated on March 14, 2022, 'There is no change in the plan for American astronauts to return to Earth on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft at the end of March.' It is said that cooperation with Russia continues in space, but it is also said that the ISS will be required to be de- Russified in the future.

Russia suspends sales of rocket engines in retaliation for sanctions in Western countries, saying 'Who will stop the crisis of the ISS crashing in the United States and Europe?' --GIGAZINE


by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

The ESA, which was co-sponsoring the Mars exploration mission ExoMars with Roscosmos, is also being forced to change course due to the Russian military invasion. The Mars exploration rover ' Roscoslind Franklin ' used at ExoMars was scheduled to be launched in 2022, but the ESA Council unanimously '2022' at a meeting held in Paris from March 16 to 17. It is impossible to continue to cooperate with Roscosmos in the ExoMars Rover mission, 'and announced that the launch will be suspended.

In a statement, the ESA said, 'As an intergovernmental organization whose mission is to develop and implement a space exploration program that fully respects European values, we are tragic and tragic due to the invasion of Ukraine. I am deeply concerned about the consequences, 'he said, recognizing that it will affect space exploration, but will work with the sanctions imposed on Russia by ESA member states.

ESA Secretary Joseph Ashbacher said at a press conference on March 17, 'Given the current situation, it was decided that a launch (in 2022) would not be possible.' On the other hand, researchers who have worked for ExoMars have been crying out, and David Parker , director of human and robot exploration at ESA, said, 'It's a shame for those involved in this project.' It was a tough decision. '



Roscosmos is not only developing the

proton rocket and lander Kazachok for the launch of Rosalind Franklin, but also some equipment and radioisotope heating units for the rover. As the ESA breaks its relationship with Roscosmos, they must be replaced with non-Russian ones to continue the ExoMars mission.

The ESA council has instructed Ashbacher to start 'rapid industrial research' to consider alternatives to realize the mission to send Rosalind Franklin to Mars. 'What we really need to do is consider these options. The options can be inside or outside Europe,' said Ashbacher. It may also work with NASA, which once withdrew from ExoMars due to financial problems. 'Working with NASA is one of the options we consider. NASA has a very strong desire to support us,' said Ashbacher.

Parker said a launch in 2024 could be possible if the relationship with Roscosmos was restored, but Ashbacher is unlikely to have a launch in collaboration with Roscosmos before 2026. Pointed out. 'I'm very sympathetic to the people who have been working on this project for decades. I understand the frustrations of engineering, scientists and the community.' 'But even if our launch is delayed, this The science produced by Rover is still outstanding and the best in the world, 'said Ashbacher.


by THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY

In addition, Russia decided to withdraw engineers from the Guiana Space Center in French territory on February 26, so Galileo , a positioning system constructed by the EU, Euclidean space telescope, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ( Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) It is said that missions such as EarthCARE , an earth observation satellite involved in the development of JAXA) , are also pending.

in Science, Posted by log1h_ik