Mars Express science highlights and future plans

Abstract : Mars Express has fully accomplished its objectives set for 2015-2016. The mission provides unique observation capabilities amongst the flotilla of spacecraft investigating Mars. The mission has been confirmed till the end of 2018. The science case for the mission extension until the end of 2020 has been submitted to the ESA Science Program Committee. The observation program proposed for 2019-2020 includes both augmenting the coverage and extending long-time series, as well as new elements and potentially new opportunities for discoveries. It will be boosted by collaboration and synergies with NASA’s MAVEN, ESA-Roscosmos Trace Gas Orbiter and other missions. The talk will give the mission status, review the recent science highlights, and outline future plans.