Airbus replaces Russia in search for life on Mars
 

Airbus Defence and Space has replaced a Russian corporation in a European project to search for signs of life on Mars.

Scientists at its site in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, will work on the ExoMars lander which will place the Rosalind Franklin rover on the surface of the planet.

Russian state space agency Roscosmos had worked on a landing platform called Kazachok, but the mission was postponed after the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The landing platform developed by Airbus will land on the Mars surface using a parachute assisted braking system, before deploying the rover.

The ExoMars programme was expected to launch in 2020 as a joint endeavour between The European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmo.
The Russians had replaced American space agency Nasa who quit the project in 2012 due to changing priorities.

In addition to the landing platform, ESA planned to use a Russian rocket to get into space but sanctions made the joint project impossible and it was delayed.

Now Nasa will launch the rover in 2028, with a landing planned in 2030.

Rosalind Franklin will be the first Martian rover to analyse samples from two metres below the surface in its search for past or present life.

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between French aerospace company Thales and Italian firm Leonardo, have worked with ESA on the project.

Airbus teams will design the landers mechanical, thermal and propulsion systems.

This includes two ramps on opposite sides for the rover to be driven onto the surface with minimum risk.

The UK firm was previously involved with the project when Rosalind Franklin was designed and built in a bio-burden clean room in Stevenage.

The rover is named after a British DNA pioneer.

Kata Escott, managing director for Airbus Defence and Space UK said: "Getting the Rosalind Franklin rover onto the surface of Mars is a huge international challenge and the culmination of more than 20 years' work.

"The mission will supercharge our space know-how in the UK, and will advance our collective understanding of our solar system."

Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: "Airbus will not only help Britain make history and lead the European space race but also bring hundreds of highly skilled jobs and investment as we secure Britain's future through our Plan for Change."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1egpwqw4vjo

Comprehension

Which company replaced the Russian space agency Roscosmos in the ExoMars project?
What is the purpose of the ExoMars mission?
What is the name of the rover that will be sent to Mars?
Why was the mission with Roscosmos postponed?
What is the function of the new landing platform designed by Airbus?
When is the new launch date for the Rosalind Franklin rover?
What unique capability will Rosalind Franklin have on Mars?
Which countries are represented in the joint venture Thales Alenia Space?
What role will Airbus Defence and Space UK play in the lander’s design?
Who was Rosalind Franklin and why is the rover named after her?

Discussion

How do international politics affect scientific and space exploration missions?
Why is it important for scientists to search for life on Mars?
What do you think are the biggest challenges in landing a rover on Mars?
How does collaboration between different countries benefit space missions?
Should space agencies avoid working with countries involved in conflicts? Why or why not?
What are the potential benefits of the UK’s increased involvement in space exploration?
How might the ExoMars project influence future Mars missions?
Do you think discovering life on Mars would change how we see life on Earth?
What skills or industries could grow in the UK as a result of projects like ExoMars?
How can stories like this inspire students to pursue careers in science and engineering?

Vocabulary

Lander – A spacecraft designed to land on the surface of a planet or moon.
Rover – A robotic vehicle designed to move across the surface of a planet.
Sanctions – Penalties or restrictions imposed on a country, often due to political reasons.
Propulsion – The act of driving or pushing forward, especially in spacecraft.
Bio-burden – The number of bacteria living on a surface that has not been sterilized.
Postponed – Delayed or scheduled for a later time.
Parachute-assisted braking system – A system that slows a spacecraft’s descent using parachutes.
Culmination – The highest or final point of something, especially after a long effort.
Innovation – A new idea, method, or device that brings improvement.
Investment – The act of putting money or resources into something for future benefit