Europe’s highly anticipated ExoMars mission is back on track, with the UK set to build the lander that will deliver the Rosalind Franklin rover to the surface of Mars.
Originally a joint project with Russia, the mission was halted after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the European Space Agency (ESA) has secured new funding and partnerships, with NASA now providing key components, including the launch vehicle.
The mission is scheduled to lift off in 2028, with arrival on Mars expected in 2030.
Airbus, which previously built the Rosalind Franklin rover, has been awarded a £150 million contract to develop the landing platform at its Stevenage, Hertfordshire facility.
The complex lander will use parachutes and thrusters to ensure a controlled descent, allowing the rover to begin its search for signs of past life beneath the Martian surface.
UK Space Agency CEO Paul Bate hailed the mission as a breakthrough in planetary exploration, emphasizing its potential to drive scientific and technological advancements.
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