PARIS, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is preparing to dip into the Martian atmosphere and transform its orbital path. The European Space Agency's latest Mars orbiter is tasked with mapping Mars' atmosphere, but it can't begin its scientific mission until it assumes a new path -- a transformation that will take 13 months.
ExoMars TGO began orbiting Mars in late October, after a seven-month journey from Earth. Currently, the probe's highly elliptical orbit sends it as far away as 60,000 miles from the Red Planet. Twice during its four-day orbit, the Trace Gas Orbiter dips into the Martian atmosphere and comes within 155 miles of the Martian surface.