Airbus UK to land Europe’s first rover on Mars

The contract, awarded by the European Space Agency and funded through the UK Space Agency, is expected to sustain around 200 high-skilled jobs in the UK space sector and attract international investment. 

The first UK-built rover’s mission is to explore the red planet and drill 2m down into the surface to search for signs of ancient life, such as fossilised microbes, to find out how our solar system came into being.

The mission is made possible by advanced UK robotics and autonomous navigation technologies, which can also be deployed in challenging environments on Earth, such as nuclear power plants and the deep ocean.    

Named after the British scientist whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, the rover will be the first European made rover to land on Mars.  

In a statement, Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: "This is humanity defining science, and the best opportunity to find if past life once existed on Mars. 

“The ripple effects of space exploration discoveries extend far beyond the realm of space exploration, driving progress and prosperity across multiple sectors in the UK, and inspiring technological advances to benefit us all.” 

Under contract from Thales Alenia Space (TAS), which is leading the overall ExoMars mission, Airbus teams in Stevenage will design the mechanical, thermal and propulsion systems necessary for the landing platform to ensure a safe touchdown for the rover.  

This will include the landing structure, the large propulsion system used to provide the final braking thrust, and the landing gear to ensure the lander is stable on touchdown. The lander will feature two ramps that will be deployed on opposite sides to enable the rover to be driven onto the Martian surface using the least risky route. 

Several UK universities are involved in the development and launch of the rover. The panoramic camera (PanCam) system on the rover is led by scientists from University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory working with Aberystwyth University, Birkbeck College and Leicester University. Aberystwyth University is also building an infrared spectrometer for the rover, which will identify the most promising rocks to drill and test for evidence of ancient biology.  

Kata Escott, managing director Airbus Defence and Space UK said: “Getting the Rosalind Franklin rover onto the surface of Mars is a huge international challenge and the culmination of more than 20 years’ work. We are proud to have built the rover in our… Stevenage cleanroom and delighted now to develop the project to ensure its safe delivery to Mars.

“Rosalind Franklin will be the first Martian rover able to analyse samples from two metres below the surface in its search for past or present life. The mission will supercharge our space know-how in the UK, and will advance our collective understanding of our solar system." 

The rover is due to launch in 2028 with the support of NASA and land on Mars in 2030.