Thread by @JCDAmos

Behold! The finished #RosalindFranklin rover. A nine-month assembly but more than a decade of development by teams across Europe @esa, Russia @roscosmos and the USA @NASA as part of the @ESA_ExoMars project. bbc.co.uk/news/science-e… Great photo @MaxA_Photo!

#RosalindFranklin is being bagged and boxed for shipment from Stevenage, UK, to Toulouse, France. Acoustic and thermal vacuum testing awaits. The rover has three outstanding items: its radioisotope heaters. Insertion will be just prior to launch next year. Photo by @MaxA_Photo

Meanwhile, in Turin today the cruise spacecraft and the descent module should be being combined for the first time at @Thales_Alenia_S. Once testing is complete, all elements go to another TAS facility in Cannes for a final fit-check before despatch to Baikonur.

The launch window opens in July next year... if a working parachute system can be found by then 😬

We're waiting for the start of the official press conference at @AirbusSpace in Stevenage.

@AirbusSpace Colin Paynter, MD of Airbus: "More than any other programme, @ESA_ExoMars has inspired the next generation." Airbus invested in a dedicated cleanroom and attached STEM centre. 8,000 schoolchildren have been through the centre.

@AirbusSpace @ESA_ExoMars Pietro Baglioni, ESA’s ExoMars manager, has worked on the project since the first feasibility study in 2004! The time taken was "justified by the complexity of the design which has evolved through the years".

Baglioni: Critical parachute test in November (previous tests have failed). Assuming the upcoming test works, the "go" for launch will be given at an acceptance review in March next year.

Graham Turnock, CEO of @spacegovuk, says UK will be making a strong contribution at #Space19 Ministerial in Nov to ensure UK plays big role in Mars Sample Return. Britain plans to put down cash to build the "fetch rover" that will collect the rocks cached by Nasa's Mars2020 rover

@spacegovuk Van Odedra, Airbus ExoMars rover project manager makes a good point. Don't forget the Canadians! 🇨🇦 @MDA_maxar built the bogey system.

@spacegovuk @MDA_maxar Baglioni: Two parachute tests upcoming are critical following previous failures in May and July.
The problem is not about the material of the chutes; it's a problem of packaging and extraction.

@spacegovuk @MDA_maxar Baglioni: A November test will be a balloon drop of a test mass from 29km. A mortar will simulate supersonic extraction speed.
Need to show that the implemented corrective measures are on the right track in November.

Baglionli: A final decision on whether to fly Rosalind Franklin will be made after a February drop test.