Exomars 2028 and the Search for Life on Mars

Exomars 2028 and the Search for Life on Mars

by Erica Marchand

Paris, France (SPX) Apr 10, 2024

Thales Alenia Space has finalized a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), valued at euro 522m, to progress the ExoMars 2028 mission. The contract encompasses the Mars Entry, Descent and Landing Module (EDLM) development and sustaining activities for vehicles from the 2022 mission.

Scheduled for an October to December 2028 launch at Kennedy Space Center, the mission aims to uncover past life indicators on Mars. ESA, alongside significant contributions from NASA, will send a European rover for this purpose. Equipped with a Leonardo-developed drill and Thales Alenia Space’s Analytical Laboratory Drawer (ALD), the rover will sample Martian soil up to two meters deep, examining it for signs of subsurface life, alive or extinct.

Currently, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, also a Thales Alenia Space project, orbits Mars, detecting atmospheric trace gases like methane which could suggest life presence. This orbiter will continue transmitting data crucial to Mars studies, including inputs from NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, and is expected to support the upcoming mission through its extended operational lifespan.

In its role as the industrial prime contractor for ExoMars 2028, Thales Alenia Space is tasked with the EDLM design, radar altimeter development, rover integration, and overseeing the launch campaign. The firm will also guide the Entry, Descent, and Landing Module definitions and maintenance of the transfer module and rover, preparing these for their critical roles in the mission. Notably, the mission’s descent module and landing pad are set for advancements, and the rover will incorporate new technologies like the Enfys infrared spectrometer.

From Thales Alenia Space’s CEO, Herve Derrey: Our legacy spans across the solar system, from the Sun to Mars, and our instruments have been part of every major space exploration. Our continued involvement with moon missions, including ARTEMIS and the Gateway space station, positions us as leaders in space exploration.

Massimo Comparini, Deputy CEO at Thales Alenia Space, highlighted the company’s pivotal role in this enduring venture: Our continued partnership with ESA underscores our advanced capabilities and strategic collaborations in pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

The industrial consortium includes Thales Alenia Space in Italy, Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, ArianeGroup in France, OHB in Germany, and ALTEC in Italy, each contributing critical components and expertise to the mission.