"The agency turned to Russia to launch the orbiter and rover on two Proton rockets and provide the descent system to deliver the rover to Mars. In exchange, ESA agreed to add Russian science instruments to the orbiter and rover missions."
"Everything changed again when Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. ESA severed most ties with Russia's space agency, ending the partnership on ExoMars after all of the mission's elements were already built and ready for final assembly."
"NASA and ESA formalized the new agreement in 2024, with the US side committing to provide a launch vehicle, the braking engines needed to land, and small nuclear-powered heaters to keep the rover's sensitive electronics warm during Martian nights."
The ExoMars mission, initially a collaboration between ESA and Russia, faced significant delays due to parachute test failures and the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ESA ended its partnership with Russia, which included the cancellation of Russian instruments and launch support. NASA stepped in to assist, formalizing an agreement in 2024 to provide a launch vehicle and necessary equipment for the Rosalind Franklin rover, which aims to analyze Martian soil for organic markers.
Read at Ars Technica
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