The ExoMars mission, originally compromised by the end of the collaboration with Russia in 2022, resumes with new hopes thanks to the support of NASA. Despite the political and financial uncertainties, the new goal is set for 2028, and the aim is to search for traces of life in the subsoil of the Red Planet.
After years of postponements and obstacles, including the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, Europe has not lost its determination. ESA has signed a contract from 522 million euros with Thales Alenia Space to prepare the Rosalind Franklin rover for a mission that promises to be historic. This European rover will be equipped with a new spectrometer and a drill capable of digging up to two meters below the Martian surface.
NASA's change of direction: new support and advanced technologies for the ExoMars mission
There NASA, despite its initial hesitations, appears ready to provide significant support. After “leaving” ESA to collaborate with the Russians years ago, it now offers the rover launch with advanced technologies such as descent engines and radioisotope heating units, crucial to protecting the instruments from the cold Martian nights.
The U.S. change of direction, highlighted in the 2025 budget, shows a sudden but strong push forward in the project. This comes at a time when Mars missions are more contested than ever, especially with NASA's long-term goal of landing astronauts on Mars in 2040, despite recent funding cuts for other initiatives such as the Mars Sample Return.
The question remains: the hope of finding life on Mars will be enough to warrant continued investment and excitement around ExoMars? Despite the difficult context, the optimism for one of the most ambitious missions towards Red Planet continue to resist. And you, do you think that the efforts and funds invested in these missions are justified by the possibility of discovering life on other planets?
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