European Explorer Robot Will Explore Mars Planet In 2028
JAKARTA - Britain's Mars rover,lind Franklin, will go to the Red Planet in 2028. This is thanks to the disbursement of funds of 310 million euros equivalent to IDR 5.0 trillion approved by member countries of the European Space Agency (ESA).
The funds will be used by ESA to design a new landing platform meant to lower its first Mars rover to the planet's surface.
The work was needed after the ESA cut ties with its former partner on the mission, the Russian space agency Roscosmos in March, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is tasked with designing and building landing wheels for explorers, as well as launchinglind Franklin from its location in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, last September. But it failed due to war.
Although it's just the beginning, more costs will be needed in the future to complete all the work, ESA director-general Josef Aschbacher said the project would definitely get back on track.
"I am pleased to say that we have found a very positive way forward," said Aschbacher.
Now, the ESA will build a capsule to protectlind Franklin from heat as it glides into the Martian atmosphere for landing. The rocket-powered parachute system and platform needed to make a slow and gentle landing will also be prepared.
Further citing BBC International, Friday, November 25, the United States Space Agency (US), NASA is claimed to also participate in the rover's robot mission.
NASA is rumored to be setting up launchers to sendlind Franklin on its way, as well as some new components for robots, such as radioisotopic heating.
This device, designed to keep the rover warm in Mars' harsh climate, will replace previously incorporated Russian units. However, NASA is still waiting for the results of the European research ministers' deliberation before making a firm commitment.
For information, the rover robot will look for signs of life on Mars, and will carry a drill to try to find it up to two meters below the planet's surface.
Although this rover robot was created by the UK, the negata has not participated in this project because it is no longer a member of the European Union.
They will focus their contribution in other sectors, particularly in Earth observations. The UK will launch a satellite that will get absolute measurements of the light reflected from the Earth's surface. Called Truths, the data will become a calibration tool in the sky, allowing the observation of all other imaging spacecraft.