Thales Alenia Space signs 552 mn ExoMars contract

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 9 - Thales Alenia Space said Tuesday that it has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) worth 522 million euros to continue essential activities for the completion of the ExoMars 2028 mission.
    The contract, divided into different tranches, includes the development of the Mars Entry, Descent and Landing Module (EDLM).
    Led by the ESA with a major involvement by NASA, ExoMars 2028 will deliver a European rover capable of autonomous driving on the planet's surface.
    The mission is set for launch from the Kennedy Space Center between October and December 2028 and it will explore the Martian surface in search of signs of past life.
    It is scheduled to reach Mars in 2030.
    Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between French technology group Thales (67%) and Italian State.controlled defence-and-aerospace giant Leonardo (33%). (ANSA).