What Will The ExoMars Lander Do?

Today on Mars, a 13-year-old American robot will look up from its crater to photograph the arrival of a new European companion. It's a solar system first: No robot on the the surface of another planet has ever been there to greet a new space traveler. The newest arrival, named Schiaparelli, will be doing its part to ensure that someday, humans will be the ones watching and waving as ships come and go. The European Space Agency's Schiaparelli lander is touching down today in Meridiani Planum, the same area where the Opportunity rover has been trundling along since 2003. Opportunity is about 10 miles outside of Schiaparelli's landing area, and will try to photograph the parachute as the European robot plummets Marsward.