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Russia considering option to explore Mars taking into account unaccomplished ESA mission

In July last year, the head of the ESA Josef Aschbacher announced on Twitter that the agency's board of governors had decided to terminate cooperation with Roscosmos on the ExoMars program

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

MOSCOW, March 26. /TASS/. Russia’s Roscosmos state space corporation and the Russian academy of sciences is considering a possibility to explore Mars taking into account the groundwork by the ExoMars 2022 mission, a representative of the state corporation told TASS.

"Specialists of the state corporation Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences are studying the possibility of exploring Mars, taking into account the groundwork done within the ExoMars project, including the possibility of attracting foreign partners," the press service noted.

Earlier, the European Space Agency (ESA) categorically rejected Russia's proposals to launch the ExoMars mission in 2024 or 2026, the state corporation specified. Roscosmos also added that it is aware of ESA's plans to launch the rover without Russia's participation in October 2028.

"Considering that the entire world science has lost the ExoMars-2022 mission, and also that the Russian scientific instruments (ADRON-RM and ISEM) installed on the European rover of the ExoMars-2022 mission will be dismantled as part of the work on mutual return of equipment, we can only wish our colleagues from ESA to successfully launch the Mars rover in October 2028 without our participation," they added.

In July last year, the head of the ESA Josef Aschbacher announced on Twitter that the agency's board of governors had decided to terminate cooperation with Roscosmos on the ExoMars program. At that time, Roscosmos announced that Russia could implement its part of the project at the national level or with partners from friendly countries.

In November, Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov told TASS that ESA had completely abandoned cooperation with Russia on Mars exploration. He stressed that neither the scientific community of Europe nor Russia would benefit from such a step.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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The ministry’s Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, that considers it a blatant violation of all human standards

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Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

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Ukrainian connection to Crocus terrorist attack undeniable — ex-SBU officer

Vasily Prozorov noted that the perpetrators could have been eliminated once they crossed the border

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

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Russian envoy, authorities of Afghanistan call for unfreezing of Afghan assets

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US using human rights topics to shake political situation in Russia — embassy

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Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

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There were no casualties, egional Governor Igor Artamonov said

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

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Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

Moscow court arrests Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov over bribery case

The court said that Timur Ivanov is accused of receiving a bribe as part of an organized group while performing contracted and subcontracted work for the Defense Ministry

Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

The Russian war correspondent died of wounds suffered from a strike by a Ukrainian FPV drone on April 19

Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

Dmitry Peskov added that the issue of fighting against long-range weapons being supplied to Ukraine and potential strikes on the areas where they are concentrated "is rather under the purview of <…> the armed forces"

Energy facilities catch fire in Russia’s Smolensk Region following drone attacks

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Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

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A warning had been issued before the attack calling on people to temporarily evacuate from the area

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Russia seeks to break down barriers for its food exports — MFA

Sergey Vershinin recalled that Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea initiative for the export of grain and food due to the fact that it could not be implemented in the original volume

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Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

No damage, casualties after drone attack over Russia’s Kursk Region

Roman Starovoit thanked air defense troops and the regional crisis center and cautioned residents against approaching the drone wreckage if found

Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

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Weapons for new US package for Kiev yet to be found — Ukrainian ambassador

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