NASA and ESA join forces on ExoMars rover

The long-delayed European mission of the ExoMars rover to the Red Planet has just received a boost for its planned launch in 2028. NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a memorandum of understanding that officially joins forces in the framework of this ambitious project that will send a life-hunting rover named Rosalind Franklin to Mars.

ExoMars mission takes shape

Two years ago, ESA had severed ties with the Russian space agency Roscosmos, ExoMars’ former lead partner, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, the mission missed its planned launch window and must now wait 2028 for a new starting opportunity. Today, ESA, its Member States and European industry, together with NASA, are developing new synergies and partnerships to advance the mission. This now includes launching the rover on board a American rocket. NASA will also provide part of the propulsion system necessary for the rover to land safely on Mars, as well as radioisotope heating units (RHU). These will ensure that the rover operates properly in the planet’s harsh climate. In parallel, note that the United Kingdom will also lead the development and certification of another similar, but European, heating system specially adapted for the mission. In the frame In addition to this strengthened partnership between NASA and ESA for the ExoMars mission, the two space agencies also plan to integrate cutting-edge technologies to maximize the mission’s chances of success. This includes advanced communication and navigation systemswhich will enable the Rosalind Franklin rover to transmit precise, real-time data to Earth, as well as move autonomously on the Martian surface.

ESA’s ExoMars rover. Credit: ESA

Goal: Find life

As a reminder, Rosalind Franklin is designed to drill up to two meters below the Martian surface to access samples of Mars that have been preserved from hostile surface conditions. This deep drilling could reveal crucial information about the geological history of the red planet. Scientists hope to find living microorganisms or fossils. Naturally, the data collected by the rover on the chemical and mineralogical composition of the Martian soil will be shared between scientists from both agencies. Despite the challenges and obstacles encountered along the way, this new partnership between NASA and ESA for the ExoMars mission is yet another testament to humanity’s collective determination to push the boundaries of knowledge and explore the mysteries of the universe.