Europe’s first rover bound for another planet is set to make its way to Mars, with the lander responsible for depositing it on the surface slated to be constructed in the United Kingdom. The Rosalind Franklin rover, named after the esteemed scientist instrumental in the discovery of DNA’s double helix structure, forms a key part of the ExoMars mission spearheaded by the European Space Agency (ESA). This mission aims to analyzing Mars for past signs of life and will feature a drill capable of retrieving samples from up to 2 meters beneath the Martian surface, dating back approximately 4 billion years.
Originally a joint endeavor with Roscosmos, the rover’s 2022 launch was derailed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Instead of halting the project, ESA reassessed the logistics, securing additional funding and forming new collaborations to replace contributions previously expected from Russia. Key among these is NASA, set to provide the launch vehicle and essential components such as the radioisotope heater units. The anticipated launch is slated for 2028, with Mars arrival expected in 2030.
Airbus, which has previously built the Rosalind Franklin rover, has been contracted by ESA and funded by the UK government to engineer the lander at its Stevenage facility in Hertfordshire. Caroline Rodier, the project manager for the lander, underscored the complexity and ambition of landing on Mars. She likened the capsule encapsulating the rover and lander to a Kinder Egg, incorporating a parachute and heat shield. The crucial process involves a sequence of parachutes and a vigorous thrust of the lander’s engines just before touchdown.
Rodier highlighted the unique challenges of landing on Mars, including the necessity of a high-output propulsion system. The team is addressing these challenges by designing suitable legs for the lander and symmetrical ramps for minimal risk deployment of the rover from the platform. Concurrently, the rover is undergoing specific upgrades to its guidance and navigation system, in response to the revised launch timeline.
Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, expressed the monumental importance of this mission for science and its potential to inspire progress and advances across various sectors in the UK, extending far beyond the domain of space exploration.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/29/europe-first-mars-rover-rosalind-franklin-esa-airbus-lander
