The ExoMars orbiter is preparing to make its first scientific observations at Mars during two orbits of the planet starting next week.
The Trace Gas Orbiter, or TGO, a joint endeavour between ESA and Roscosmos, arrived at Mars on 19 October. It entered orbit, as planned, on a highly elliptical path that takes it from between 230 and 310 km above the surface to around 98 000 km every 4.2 days.
The main science mission will only begin once it reaches a near-circular orbit about 400 km above the planet’s surface after a year of ‘aerobraking’ – using the atmosphere to gradually brake and change its orbit. Full science operations are expected to begin by March 2018.
But next week provides the science teams with a chance to calibrate their instruments and make the first test observations now the spacecraft is actually at Mars. [More at link]