Airbus to Develop ExoMars Landing System for Safe Delivery of UK-Built Rover to Mars

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) have selected Airbus to develop critical systems for the ExoMars lander, a key component of the mission set to deliver the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars. As the industrial lead, TAS—formed by Thales and Leonardo—will oversee the mission, while Airbus will provide essential mechanical, thermal, and propulsion systems to ensure a successful landing.

A Precision Landing for a Historic Mission

Landing on Mars is one of the greatest challenges in space exploration. The ExoMars lander will guide the UK-built Rosalind Franklin rover through the Martian atmosphere and facilitate its deployment on the surface. Airbus, leveraging its expertise in planetary exploration, is designing critical components at its Stevenage facility in the UK. The company will develop the braking system, landing structure, and gear, along with two ramps that will allow the rover to descend safely to the surface.

Kata Escott, Managing Director at Airbus Defence and Space UK, emphasized the significance of this mission, saying:

“Getting the Rosalind Franklin rover onto the surface of Mars is a huge international challenge and the culmination of more than 20 years’ work. 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.”

A Long Journey with New Challenges

The Rosalind Franklin rover was initially planned for launch in 2022, but the Ukraine conflict led to delays, as ESA severed ties with Russian space agencies that were initially involved in the project. This setback forced a major restructuring of the mission, with ESA now partnering with NASA for the 2028 launch. The rover will be carried aboard a NASA rocket, and to withstand the extreme Martian conditions, it will receive new software updates and NASA-supplied Radioisotope Heater Units to maintain operational temperatures.

Boost for the UK’s Space Industry

The ExoMars project is a landmark moment for British science and engineering. UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle praised Airbus' role, highlighting the mission’s significance for Britain’s global standing in space exploration:

“This inspiring example of world-class British science will bring us one step closer to answering long-asked questions on potential life on Mars. Airbus will not only help Britain make history and lead the European space race but also bring hundreds of highly skilled jobs and investment.”

Mars Landing in 2030

The new launch schedule aims for a Mars landing in 2030, carefully timed to avoid the planet’s global dust storm season, which can jeopardize operations. Once on the Martian surface, the Rosalind Franklin rover will begin its historic scientific mission—drilling two metres beneath the surface to search for signs of past or present life, a task no previous Mars rover has accomplished.

With Airbus playing a leading role in the landing system, the ExoMars mission is a testament to international cooperation and cutting-edge technology, advancing both planetary exploration and the UK’s growing space industry.