How Europe’s Rosalind Franklin rover will hunt for ancient life beneath the Martian soil

The ExoMars mission aims to uncover signs of past or present life on Mars. This video details how the Rosalind Franklin rover uses specialized radar and imaging technology to identify, extract, and analyze samples from deep beneath the planet's surface.

The Rosalind Franklin rover is designed to reach depths of up to two metres, accessing material shielded from harsh surface radiation and extreme temperatures. To navigate this, the rover utilizes the WISDOM ground-penetrating radar, which helps scientists pinpoint drilling targets while avoiding buried rocks that could damage equipment.

Once a site is selected, the rover employs a suite of cameras, including the PanCam and the Close-UP Imager (CLUPI), to analyze soil and rock outcrops in high resolution. After drilling, the rover uses a specialized hand to collect samples under Martian gravity, which is 38% of Earth's. These processes are critical for testing technologies essential for future planetary exploration.

Source: Below the surface | ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission (episode 2)