Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli unite

Schiaparelli, the entry, descent and landing demonstrator module of the ExoMars 2016 mission, being mated with the Trace Gas Orbiter on 12 February in the Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

The spacecraft are now in their launch configuration and will remain united until 16 October, when Schiaparelli will separate from the orbiter to descend to the surface of Mars on 19 October. Launch is planned for the 14-25 March launch window.