ESA Tested ExoMars Rover Landing Gear in Spain
Engineers validated the deployment mechanism for the Rosalind Franklin rover ahead of its 2028 Mars mission.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Space
Live Poll
Do you believe the benefits of Mars exploration justify the cost of the mission?
The European Space Agency (ESA) conducted experimental landing gear tests for the ExoMars mission in the Tabernas desert. The test utilized a vehicle known as Charlie, operated remotely from Turin, to evaluate systems designed for the upcoming Rosalind Franklin rover.
Why it matters
This testing marks a critical milestone in the mission's reconfiguration to replace components previously supplied by Roscosmos. The rover is designed to reach depths of two metres beneath the Martian surface to analyze material shielded from radiation.
The landing system features four legs that deploy in two pairs within less than one second using non-explosive actuators. This hardware is a key component of the mission's updated design, which replaces original Russian-supplied modules.
The players
European Space Agency
An international organization dedicated to the exploration of space and the coordination of planetary science missions.
Sener
A Spanish engineering group specializing in aerospace mechanisms, including antenna-pointing and deployment systems.
The details
The landing gear sequence is initiated after the heat shield separates from the descent module. Non-explosive actuators ensure the four legs deploy concurrently, providing a stable base before impact, while the system integrates with parachutes and engines to manage descent speed. Sener, the Spanish group responsible for the landing system, also provided the drill movement system and UHF antennas, following their prior work on antenna-pointing mechanisms for NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance missions.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: ESA performed landing gear tests in the Tabernas desert.
Q4 2026: Flight-ready landing gear units are scheduled for delivery.
2028: Targeted launch window for the ExoMars mission.
The Tech Race
This validation effort is central to the mission's revised timeline following the decoupling from previous Russian-supplied hardware. It confirms the integration of Sener's specialized deployment actuators into the broader ExoMars architecture.
The mission's success rests on these hardware benchmarks, with flight units expected to enter the integration phase by late 2026. These tests ensure the rover remains on track for its 2028 journey to characterize the Martian geochemical environment.
The takeaway
The successful deployment of landing gear in under one second validates a key mechanical requirement for the Rosalind Franklin rover. Observers should track the delivery of flight units in the fourth quarter of 2026 to confirm the mission's trajectory remains aligned with its 2028 launch window.
Further reading
For more on upcoming planetary exploration initiatives, visit Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Surinenglish.
Live Poll
Do you believe the benefits of Mars exploration justify the cost of the mission?
