ExoMars Mars ESA Rosalind Franklin Rover Rover Operational Control Center Space Exploration.
The ground test model (GTM) of the Rosalind Franklin rover for the upcoming ExoMars mission will soon leave
Over the past few weeks the clean rooms at
(The Rover GTM in the front, the STM in the background)
While the flight model (FM) is in the ultra-clean room, the GTM and STM had become very close as they both underwent activities in another clean room*, and they had to say 'goodbye and good luck' as the GTM was readied for its trip to the
Once installed on the Mars Terrain Simulator, the GTM will navigate over a terrain designed to simulate the Martian environment. These operations are controlled by
The Rover GTM plays a crucial role. It will act as the 'Earth twin', providing operational support for its Martian counterpart from the friendly confines of Earth. All operations to be performed on Mars by the Rosalind Franklin rover will be validated by the GTM on Earth, using identical instruments. It will stay active in the control center to support the actual mission, working with the
The Rosalind Franklin flight model, safely mated to the descent module and protected by its shield, is under test in
*The structural-thermal model in the past months was subjected to a series of demanding tests to check that the rover was apt for operation in the daunting space environment.
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