Agenția Spațială Europeană, misiune pe Marte. Roverul ExoMars caută urmele strămoșilor antici ai oamenilor • Newsweek România

The European Space Agency's ExoMars rover, named Rosalind Franklin, aims to drill two meters beneath Mars' surface to search for ancient biological traces. Scheduled for launch in 2028, it will land at Oxia Planum, an area rich in clay deposits formed when water flowed on Mars. Scientists believe that if life is found, it may share a common ancestor with Earth organisms, supporting the theory of panspermia. The rover will operate autonomously due to communication delays with Earth and will utilize advanced instruments to identify promising drilling sites. The mission's timeline was affected by geopolitical issues, but new partnerships have ensured necessary components for the rover's success.