Esa's Exomars Likely To Launch On Russian Proton

摘要

Europe's first Mars rover and lander, ExoMars, is increasingly likely to be launched aboard a Russian Proton rocket as part of a no-exchange-of-funds agreement with the Russian Space Agency, a decision that would permit European scientists to launch most, if not all, of their proposed experiment package, European Space Agency (ESA) Science Director David Southwood said Jan. 16. Speaking with reporters here after addressing the inaugural ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy at Unesco headquarters, Southwood said he is meeting with Russian Space Agency officials in Moscow the week of Jan. 19 and that a broad collaboration with Russia on Mars exploration is at the top of the agenda.