Additionally, the Trace Gas Orbiter craft will execute a low orbit analysis of Mars' atmosphere, looking for rare gases. Specifically? Methane, which The European Space Agency says is key to understanding Mars given the gas' role in terms of geological and biological science. More than all this, the TGO will be used as a data relay point for ExoMars' 2018 mission that'll deploy a stationary surface science platform.

If your imagination isn't sufficient, the video below might give you a better idea of how the rocket that took off will change the closer it gets to our red celestial neighbor.