The Rosalind Franklin Rover of the European Space Agency (ESA) is again on the course for a pioneering journey to Mars, where he examines the red planet for signs of extraterrestrial life.
The ESA initially developed Mars Rover next to Roscosmos, the Russia's space agency, as part of the Exomar program. The vehicle was supposed to start in 2022, but when Russia entered Ukraine, ESA separated the relationship with Moscow and put the mission in danger. Rosalind Franklin – named after The British chemist, whose work was crucial to understand the structure of the DNA – was left without several key components, including a landing platform, to take the Mars surface safely.
But now Esa and Thales Alenia Space, the main contractor for the Exomars mission, Have issued Airbus A £ 150 million Treaty for the construction of a new country in the establishment of the company in Stevenage, Great Britain. The British government will finance the Lander through the British space agency.
“Bringing Rosalind Franklin Rover on the surface of Mars is a major international challenge and the highlight of more than 20 years of work,” said Kata Escott, Managing Director at Airbus Defense and Space UK, which also designed and built the Rover.
The Exomar's spaceship will start from the USA in 2028. Arrival on Mars is expected until 2030.
Hug, ASML, Openai, Monzo & Datasnipper
Take a look at the new speakers for the TNW Conference 2025 on June 19 and 20.
If it is successful, it will be Europe's first rover to be sent to Mars. The NASA of the US world space agency already has two in operation -endurance and opportunities -while China has a name Zhurong.
The trip to Mars
The British technology secretary Peter Kyle next to a model of the Exomars Rosalind Franklin Rover in Airbus' facility in Stevenage in Great Britain. Credit: dsit
When the spaceship approaches, the lander – who carries the rover – will separate and start its quick descent into the atmosphere. A combination of heat shield, parachutes and brake rockets slows down the Lander Shortly before the touchdown.
Once on the surface, the landing ramps will use so that the rover descends and exploration can begin. Rosalind Franklin's instruments will search for evidence of life in the past and current Mars. The rover contains a drill that was examined as deep as two meters into the surface and captures samples that are shielded from radiation on the surface. It is designed in such a way that it is operated for at least seven months.
Since its failure with Russia, the ESA has concluded new agreements for various components of the Exomar spaceship, including a contract with NASA for the delivery of adjustable brake motors for the landing platform and radioisotopes heating units (RHU). These Rhus use radioactive decay to produce warmth and prevent the rover from being frozen in the calid Mars environment.
