[Satellite TODAY 05-17-13] The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Telespazio VEGA Deutschland for the development of the ExoMars Mission Control System (MCS). The MCS will be used to monitor and control the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter satellite system, which will start orbiting Mars in 2016.

ExoMars is designed to search for traces of past or present life by remote sensing of the Martian environment and analysis of soil and sub-soil samples with a Rover.

The system is expected to demonstrate new technologies that will help to pave the way for a future Mars sample return mission. The first phase of the mission involves a Mars Trace Gas Orbiter satellite to be launched in 2016 that will include an entry, descent and landing demonstration module. In a second phase, a Mars Rover will be launched building on the experience gained through these first steps.

Through the MCS, the mission operations team will monitor and control the varying space segment systems throughout the satellites lifetime. The company has more than 30 years of experience in building tailored ground segment systems for its clients – including Mission Control Systems – among other the recent MCS development for the Science Mission GAIA.