The ExoMars mission is Europe’s third attempt to land successfully on Mars, with a price tag over $1.3 billion. The mission has been plagued by geopolitical tensions, budget cuts, and changes in architecture over the past two decades.
Airbus will now design and build the lander for the ExoMars mission, which is set to launch no earlier than 2028 on a US rocket. Despite recent developments, the mission’s success remains uncertain due to its complex history.
The European Space Agency committed to funding ExoMars in 2005, with an initial plan to launch in 2011 using a Russian Soyuz rocket. However, NASA contributed instruments and services for the mission, leading to changes in the launch vehicle. The partnership shifted between US-based United Launch Alliance and Russia’s Roscosmos before settling on a Proton rocket.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding ExoMars reflects the challenges of coordinating international space missions with competing interests and budget constraints. As the mission approaches its scheduled 2028 launch, it remains unclear whether success will be achieved despite the many twists and turns in its development history.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/four-different-rockets-three-landers-and-two-decades-will-exomars-ever-launch