After years of setbacks, the European Space Agency has secured a launch for its Mars rover with NASA’s help, ending reliance on Russian rockets following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
How the partnership with Russia collapsed
ESA turned to Russia in 2016 to launch the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and provide the descent system for the rover, in exchange for including Russian science instruments on the spacecraft. The orbiter launched successfully and continues to relay data for NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. A small tech demo probe crashed on Mars during the same mission. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, ESA severed ties with Roscosmos, ending the ExoMars partnership despite the rocket and descent stage already being built and ready for assembly. ESA too removed two Russian science instruments from the mission.
For more on this story, see NASA Astronaut Kjell Lindgren to Visit Taiwan Following Artemis II Mission.
How NASA stepped in to provide the ride
NASA and ESA formalized a new agreement in 2024, with the US agency committing to provide a launch vehicle, braking engines for landing, and small nuclear-powered heaters to protect the rover’s electronics during Martian nights. NASA had previously delivered a mass spectrometer for the rover to analyze Martian soil for organic molecules. ESA is supplying the rover and carrier spacecraft, while Europe handles final assembly and surface operations. Airbus built the rover in the UK and is providing the lander’s main structure. OHB in Germany manufactured the cruise stage, and Thales Alenia Space in Italy is integrating the spacecraft for launch.
What is the name of the European Mars rover?
The rover is named Rosalind Franklin, after the British chemist and DNA research pioneer.
When is the rover expected to launch?
The article does not specify a launch date for the Rosalind Franklin rover under the new NASA agreement.
