The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars rover, named Rosalind Franklin, is set to launch no earlier than 2028. The rover’s destination is Oxia Planum, a region rich in clay-bearing minerals to the east of Chryse Planitia on Mars. This site is of particular interest due to its geological features dating back to Mars’ Noachian Period, indicating the presence of past surface water, a key element in the search for evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet.

Rosalind Franklin’s mission objectives align closely with NASA’s Perseverance rover, focusing on the search for fossilized evidence of past life on Mars. The rover is equipped with advanced instruments, including a sampling drill capable of penetrating up to two meters into the Martian soil, far surpassing the capabilities of previous missions like Perseverance.

To ensure the success of the mission, the ESA selected Oxia Planum as the landing site for Rosalind Franklin. This area is not only flat, providing a safe landing zone, but also contains abundant hydrated minerals, making it a prime location to search for potential signs of ancient life. A team of European scientists has meticulously mapped out the geological features of Oxia Planum, relying on data collected by orbiting spacecraft over four years.

The detailed map of Oxia Planum reveals 15 distinct geological units with unique characteristics that will guide the rover’s exploration and sampling activities. This comprehensive map will help the rover team interpret the surrounding landscape and identify potential sites for drilling that could contain evidence of primitive life.

The sediments at Oxia Planum are nearly four billion years old, making this location the oldest site ever targeted for exploration by a rover. The map not only aids in navigation through challenging terrain but also plays a crucial role in informing strategic decisions on where to collect samples for analysis.

The detailed mapping of Oxia Planum was facilitated by the collaboration of 80 volunteers during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with data from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter contributing to the effort. The resulting map showcases the geological diversity of the region, providing insights into Mars’ ancient history and evolution over billions of years.

The high-resolution map of Oxia Planum serves as a visual representation of our current understanding of Martian geology and will guide the rover’s exploration as it searches for clues about the planet’s past habitability and potential for ancient life. As the mission progresses, the rover’s findings will be compared to existing hypotheses, leading to a deeper understanding of Mars’ geological history and increasing the chances of uncovering evidence of past life.

In essence, the new geological map of Oxia Planum is a crucial tool for the Rosalind Franklin mission, offering a roadmap for scientific discovery and laying the groundwork for groundbreaking discoveries on Mars. The meticulous planning and detailed mapping underscore the commitment of the ESA to unraveling the mysteries of the Red Planet and shedding light on its potential as a habitat for life in the distant past.