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    Rosalind Franklin Mission

    Rosalind Franklin Mission to Mars in 2028

    Case of success

    Rosalind Franklin Mission

    At Sener, we are developing several critical systems for a new Mars mission to search for traces of life

    Sener has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop several key systems that will carry the entry module of Rosalind Franklin, the rover (space exploration vehicle) of the ExoMars programme. The launch is scheduled for 2028.

    Search for life on Mars

    Rosalind Franklin is a rover designed to look for traces of life on Mars by doing advanced scientific research on the planet’s surface.

    This rover will be equipped with a drill that will allow it to dig holes up to 2 metres deep. The purpose of this process is to extract and process samples from the subsoil.

    The vehicle will also be equipped with several scientific instruments that will let it analyse the samples on site. One of these instruments contains ovens that can be used to run gas chromatography analyses of the samples taken and look for organic compounds, meaning they contain carbon.

    Discovering these compounds would not imply signs of life per se; however, certain specific organic molecules are found in cells and, if they are discovered, they could provide keys to the potential for life on Mars.

    Goals

    Search for life on Mars
    by drilling a hole up to 2 metres deep to collect samples from the Martian subsoil.
    Facilitate the rover’s landing and achieve the mission’s goal
    which involves drilling holes, taking samples and analysing their composition on site.

    Sener’s work on the Rosalind Franklin mission

    At Sener, we are responsible for the design, development and supply of several systems essential to the success of the Rosalind Franklin mission.

    Specifically, we will design and manufacture three key subsystems to ensure the rover lands correctly upon arriving at Mars:

    • The landing gear.
    • Separation mechanisms and adapter for the entry capsule.
    • UHF communications antennas.

    In addition, the rover will carry devices onboard developed by Sener:

    • The drill positioning and translation system.
    • The solar panel deployment mechanism.
    • X-band and UHF antennas.

    These devices are essential to achieve the mission’s goal, which consists of drilling holes up to two metres deep on the Martian surface, taking samples and analysing their composition.

    In addition to this search for traces of life, the ExoMars programme will also investigate the changes in Mars’s geochemical environment, study the composition of trace gases in the Martian atmosphere and their sources, and demonstrate the feasibility of using key technologies in future space exploration missions.

    Characteristics

    Design and manufacture of three subsystems for the proper landing of the rover
    The landing gear, separation mechanisms and adapter for the entry capsule, and the UHF communications antennas.
    Equipment developed by Sener for the success of the mission
    The positioning and translation system of the drill, the solar panel deployment mechanism, and X-band and UHF antennas.

    Yon Jáuregui

    Project Director

    “It is a privilege to work on a mission like ExoMars, which combines the technical challenge with the value of seeking fundamental answers about life and the universe. Projects like this not only challenge us professionally, but also remind us why we chose to dedicate ourselves to space exploration”.

    FAQ

    What is the main objective of the Rosalind Franklin mission?

    The principal objective of the mission is to determine whether life ever existed on Mars. To achieve this, the Rosalind Franklin rover will drill beneath the Martian surface to collect and analyse samples, where organic matter is believed to be better preserved—shielded from radiation and the planet’s harsh surface conditions.

    When is the Rosalind Franklin mission scheduled for launch?

    The Rosalind Franklin mission is scheduled for launch during an optimal window in 2028, with a two-year journey to land in October 2030. This timeline allows for approximately six months of surface operations before the onset of the Martian autumn, when dust storms could jeopardise the mission.

    A longer transfer has been selected to ensure a safe landing period, avoiding arrival too close to the season of global dust storms on Mars, which would pose a significant risk to the rover’s survival.

    Which programme is the Rosalind Franklin mission part of?

    The Rosalind Franklin mission is the second in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ExoMars programme, which is dedicated to exploring Mars in search of signs of past or present life. At the heart of the mission is a rover designed to explore and study the Martian surface.

    The first ExoMars mission, launched in 2016, included an atmospheric trace gas orbiter and a technology demonstration lander, laying essential groundwork for future exploration efforts, including the Rosalind Franklin mission.

    ©Sener - Sener Group 2025