In an effort to search for signs of life on Mars, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have announced their collaboration on the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover mission. This joint mission is set to launch in 2028 and will explore the red planet. As part of the agreement, NASA will contribute special heaters and unique parts of the rover propulsion system needed for Mars landing. The mission aims to further our understanding of Mars and potentially discover evidence of life beyond Earth.
NASA’s upcoming rover, named Rosalind Franklin, is set to make history by drilling up to 6.5 feet below the Martian surface. Its mission is to collect ice samples that have been shielded from surface radiation and extreme temperatures. This groundbreaking feat will provide valuable scientific insights in the search for signs of past life on Mars. Nicola Fox, associate administrator at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the rover’s exceptional drilling capabilities and onboard laboratory as crucial tools in humanity’s quest for answers.
NASA is backing the Rosalind Franklin mission, a joint effort between the United States and Europe, to further our understanding of our solar system and beyond. In particular, NASA is utilizing technology and expertise from Germany and France to develop the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer, which will play a crucial role in the search for signs of life on Mars.
NASA and other space scientists have been studying Mars with the help of robotic missions, as no humans have yet set foot on the planet. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the seventh largest. NASA refers to it as the only planet known to be inhabited solely by robots.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating on an ambitious project to bring Martian soil samples back to Earth. This joint effort is NASA’s most extensive campaign yet, involving multiple missions. Initially estimated to cost $5 billion, the project’s budget has now increased to over $11 billion.