The European Space Agency (ESA) recently Suspended work with Russia, on its upcoming ExoMars mission. Not only has Politics provided yet another Delay for the Mission to put a European Rover on Mars, but the decision is another step in the Destruction of Russia's Space Program, in the wake of its Invasion of Ukraine.
ExoMars has had a History of Disruption, due to Political decisions by Partners. The Project started with NASA as the Primary Partner with the ESA. However, as part of Obama's Fiscal year 2013 Budget Request Terminated the Partnership. The Decision forced the ESA to seek Russian Assistance to complete the Project.
Despite the Sudden change in Partners, the First phase of the ExoMars Project was launched in March 2016. It consisted of the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), designed to Detect sources of Methane in the Martian Atmosphere, and the Schiaparelli Lander, meant to test Mars Landing Technology. The TGO went into Mars Orbit successfully. However, the Schiaparelli, which contained a number of Instruments, crashed on the Martian surface.
The ESA is now in a quandary concerning the Next Phase of the ExoMars mission. The Rosalind Franklin Rover was supposed to be launched in September 2022, and land on Mars in June 2023. Since Russia was supposed to provide a Proton Launch Vehicle and a Lander called Kazachok, to deliver the Rover to the Martian surface, the 2022 launch window is now Put of the question. 2024 looks iffy as well.
NASA has an excellent Opportunity to step up, offer its Services to complete the ExoMars mission, and Rectify the Mistake that Obama made. While the ESA may want to use the upcoming Ariane 6 Rocket, NASA has access to several Launch Vehicles now via Commercial Partners like SpaceX's family of Falcon Rockets.
The Kazachok Lander is already in Europe, but since it is based on the failed Schiaparelli Lander, the ESA might want to Replace it as well.
NASA has been landing Probes on Mars successfully for Decades. Something could be worked out, if not in time for the 2024 Launch window, certainly for the 2026 one.
Both ESA and NASA would benefit from such an Arrangement. The ESA will have acquired a more capable Partner that is more likely to get the Rosalind Franklin Rover to the Martian surface intact.
NASA will buttress its Credibility as a good Space Partner, something of importance for attracting more European Countries to the Artemis Accords.
Russia, of course, will be the Big Loser. Its ill-considered Invasion of Ukraine has already made that Country an International Pariah.
The impact on the Russian Space Program is beyond evaluation. Already, the One Web Satellite Constellation, kicked off of a Russian Launcher and has found a New provider in SpaceX.
Russian participation in the International Space Station (ISS) seems to be enduring, at least for the time being.
Indeed, the latest Crew of Russian Cosmonauts recently arrived at the ISS wearing Yellow and Blue Flight suits, the colors of the Ukrainian Flag.
They are also the Colors of the Alma Mater of the Three Cosmonauts, Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
Which was the Inspiration for the Flight Suits is something for the Reader to decide.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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