ESA - Robotic Exploration of Mars - ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter core module during integration at Thales Alenia Space, Cannes

Pictured here is the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) core module during integration of its electrical subsystems at Thales Alenia Space, Cannes, France in November 2014. The central cylinder is the core of the mechanical structure; one of its functions is to transmit the forces and stresses experienced during launch evenly throughout the rest of the spacecraft. The cylinder also houses the propellant and oxidiser tanks for the TGO thrusters. The attachment points for the tanks are visible as lines of gold-coloured circles around the central tube.