European Space Agency confirms Mars lander lost during descent

By Bianca Britton, CNN

Updated 1203 GMT (2003 HKT) October 20, 2016

One of the aims of the mission is to test a<a href="http://exploration.esa.int/mars/47852-entry-descent-and-landing-demonstrator-module/" target="_blank"> landing craft called Schiaparelli</a>, pictured on Mars in this artist's impression.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
One of the aims of the mission is to test a landing craft called Schiaparelli, pictured on Mars in this artist's impression.
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<a href="http://exploration.esa.int/mars/46475-trace-gas-orbiter/" target="_blank">The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter </a>arrives will look for gases that could signal biological activity. Pictured, a representation of the orbiter beginning its entry into Mars orbit.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter arrives will look for gases that could signal biological activity. Pictured, a representation of the orbiter beginning its entry into Mars orbit.
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A visualization of the fairing falling away to reveal the Trace Gas Orbiter, with Schiaparelli.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
A visualization of the fairing falling away to reveal the Trace Gas Orbiter, with Schiaparelli.
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It's a joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Roscosmos. Pictured, the orbiter and Schiaparelli undergoing testing in Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
It's a joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Roscosmos. Pictured, the orbiter and Schiaparelli undergoing testing in Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.
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The ExoMars spacecraft ready for encapsulation at the Baikonur cosmodrome.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
The ExoMars spacecraft ready for encapsulation at the Baikonur cosmodrome.
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A worker from Thales Alenia Space, the company that built the ExoMars spacecraft, pictured underneath Schiaparelli in Cannes, France.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
A worker from Thales Alenia Space, the company that built the ExoMars spacecraft, pictured underneath Schiaparelli in Cannes, France.
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Schiaparelli will be measuring wind speed, temperature, humidity and pressure on Mars.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
Schiaparelli will be measuring wind speed, temperature, humidity and pressure on Mars.
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Another ExoMars mission will launch a rover in 2020. Here the prototype is demonstrated in Turin, Italy in September 2010.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
Another ExoMars mission will launch a rover in 2020. Here the prototype is demonstrated in Turin, Italy in September 2010.
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An artist's rendition of the The ExoMars 2020 Rover, which will drill into the Martian surface to analyze samples.
Photos: The ExoMars Mission -- in pictures
An artist's rendition of the The ExoMars 2020 Rover, which will drill into the Martian surface to analyze samples.
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Artist's impression of the Schiaparelli module on the surface of Mars2Artist's impression visualising the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), with its thrusters firing, beginning its entry into Mars orbit on 19 October 2016Artist's impression visualising the separation of the payload fairing during the ExoMars 2016 launch sequenceTrace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli -Baikonur cosmodrome, KazakhstanBaikonur cosmodrome, KazakhstanExoMars 2016 Schiaparelli CannesArtist's impression of the Schiaparelli module with thrusters firingDemonstration of the ExoMars Rover prototype during the 2nd ExoMars Industry Day, Turin, ItalyAn artist's impression of the ExoMars 2020 rover on the surface of Mars