Nasa heads to Scottish Highlands in its search for life on Mars

A UK-backed Mars rover, named Rosalind Franklin after the scientist whose work unlocked the structure of DNA, is set to embark on an expedition to drill up to two meters beneath the surface of Mars in search of evidence of past or present life. The rover, part of the European Space Agency's ExoMars program, is scheduled to launch in late 2028 and land on the Red Planet in 2030.

The ExoMars mission aims to answer one of humanity's most compelling questions: has life ever existed beyond Earth? The Trace Gas Orbiter, currently circling Mars and studying its atmosphere, has been joined by the Rosalind Franklin rover, which will explore the planet's surface. The mission's objective is to investigate the planet's environment, its geological history, and the potential for life, either in the past or even today.

One of the unique features of the Rosalind Franklin rover is its ability to drill to a depth of two meters, providing samples that are better protected from the harsh radiation on Mars' surface. These samples will be analyzed by an onboard laboratory to determine their mineral and chemical composition and search for any signs of life. The landing site, Oxia Planum, is an area rich in ancient, clay-rich rocks dating back around 3.9 billion years, making it a promising location for finding evidence of past or present life.

The UK has invested £490 million over the past 20 years in the ExoMars program, supporting more than 200 high-skilled jobs. Thirty-one UK scientists are named mission instrument team members, and over 100 UK scientists are involved in the program more broadly. The rover is being built by Airbus Defence and Space at its UK facility in Stevenage, with contributions from various UK universities and research institutions.