A US-based space agency has taken over a European project to search for signs of life on Mars after Russia’s involvement was dropped due to sanctions. The European Space Agency (ESA) had partnered with the Russian state space agency Roscosmos to launch the ExoMars lander in 2020, but the mission was postponed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Airbus, a UK-based firm, will now design and build the landing platform for the ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover. The rover, named after a British DNA pioneer, is expected to launch in 2028 and land on Mars in 2030. Its primary objective is to search for past or present life by analyzing samples from two meters below the Martian surface.
The UK-based firm had previously worked on the project when Rosalind Franklin was designed and built. Airbus teams will be responsible for designing the rover’s mechanical, thermal, and propulsion systems, including a unique ramp system that minimizes risk during landing.
This new development is seen as an opportunity to advance Britain’s space know-how and create hundreds of highly skilled jobs. The UK government has expressed its support for the project, stating that it will “supercharge our space know-how” and bring significant investment to the country.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1egpwqw4vjo