The Rosalind Franklin rover’s drill has a maximum reach of two metres – deeper than any other mission has ever attempted on the Red Planet. This depth allows access to […]
ExoMars
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release
Mars’ Atmospheric Mille-feuille
ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter keeps gathering information from its orbit around Mars to understand its ancient past and potential habitability. The spacecraft was cruising over the southern highlands of […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release
Mars’s Chilly North Polar Vortex Creates a Seasonal Ozone Layer
A rare glimpse into the wintry conditions of Mars’s north polar vortex has shown that temperatures inside the vortex are far colder than outside, and that the permanent darkness that […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Rosalind Franklin Astrobiology Rover May Find Martian Biosignatures Uncovered By Rockfalls And Ancient Floods
The Rosalind Franklin mission’s chance of finding evidence of past life on Mars has been boosted by two studies that show that the rover won’t have to travel far to […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors
ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Astrobiology Rover Will Have A European Landing Platform
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Airbus to design and build the landing platform for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover. In 2028, ESA will launch this ambitious exploration mission […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Flyover Of Rosalind Franklin Astrobiology Mission Landing Site
A team of European scientists have published the most detailed geologic map of Oxia Planum – the landing site for ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover on Mars.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Rhinocladiella similis: A Model Eukaryotic Organism for Astrobiological Studies on Microbial Interactions with Martian Soil Analogs
The exploration of our solar system for microbial extraterrestrial life is the primary goal of several space agencies.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report
Mawrth Vallis, Mars: A Fascinating Place For Future In Situ Exploration
After the successful landing of the Mars Science Laboratory rover, both NASA and ESA initiated a selection process for potential landing sites for the Mars2020 and ExoMars missions, respectively.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Developing a Microfluidic Device to Perform Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Analysis in Future Astrobiology Missions
The main advantage of Raman spectroscopy over competing analytical instruments used in robotic planetary missions is the capability to identify both organic and inorganic molecules.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors
Laser Upgrade For The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Astrobiology Rover
After some time off the road, vehicles require proper maintenance checks. The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover is no exception and got an upgrade to one of its electronic boxes in […]