Mars might be breathing: the hunt for atmospheric methane

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Is there life—or at least chemistry—hiding in the Martian air? The ExoMars mission is hunting for trace gases like methane, which could signal geological activity or even microscopic biological processes. By scanning the atmosphere during sunrises and sunsets, scientists are looking for secrets buried in the thin Martian breeze.

The Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), a joint venture between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russia's Roscosmos, serves as a primary laboratory for atmospheric chemistry. Its core objective is to detect methane and other rare gases in small concentrations. Because these gases can be produced by geological processes or potentially by simple life forms like microbes, their presence provides a critical clue about Mars' current state.

To achieve this, the TGO utilizes NOMAD (Nadir and Occultation for MArs Discovery), the first high-resolution instrument of its kind to orbit the planet. NOMAD functions by observing the Sun during Martian sunrises and sunsets using three spectrometers—two in the infrared and one in the ultraviolet. This specific method allows it to identify trace gases with unprecedented precision.

Complementing this atmospheric study is CaSSIS, a high-resolution telescope that provides color and stereo images over a 9.5-kilometre wide strip. CaSSIS focuses on 'recurring slope lineae'—dark lines on the surface that appear and fade with the seasons. These features are believed to be associated with liquid brine, offering another window into how water behaves in the Martian environment.

The broader ExoMars program also includes the Rosalind Franklin rover, which aims to drill up to 6.6 feet (two meters) underground. By reaching these depths, the rover seeks samples protected from surface radiation and extreme temperatures. While TGO scans the air, the rover will use a Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA)—supported by NASA—to search for organic molecules in the ancient soil.

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