ExoMars: 'We've had to work so many issues'

Ten years after being formally approved, Europe's ExoMars project is at last ready to send some hardware - a satellite - to the Red Planet.

The orbiter will study trace gases, such as methane, in the atmosphere.

It will also drop a probe on to the surface to test technologies needed to land a second mission - a rover - that should arrive in 2019.

Vincenzo Georgio, a senior director at prime contractor Thales Alenia Space, spoke to our correspondent about his delight in seeing the satellite made ready for launch.