ESA Tested ExoMars Rover Landing Gear
The European Space Agency tested landing hardware in Spain ahead of the 2028 mission to Mars.
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 conducted landing gear tests for the ExoMars rover in the Tabernas desert. The trial successfully demonstrated the deployment of the system, which will eventually allow the Rosalind Franklin rover to touch down on Mars.
Why it matters
The mission aims to search for signs of life by drilling two metres beneath the Martian surface. European industry reconfigured the project to replace components previously supplied by Roscosmos.
The Charlie test vehicle successfully deployed its four landing gear legs in less than one second using non-explosive actuators. The rover is designed to carry a drill capable of reaching two metres into the Martian soil.
The players
European Space Agency
This intergovernmental organization is dedicated to the exploration of space and manages the ExoMars mission.
Sener
This engineering and technology group developed critical components for the rover including the landing gear and drill system.
Rosalind Franklin rover
This robotic vehicle is designed to explore the geochemical environment of Mars and search for signs of life.
The details
Engineers in Turin operated the Charlie test vehicle remotely to ensure the landing system works in tandem with parachutes and engines to slow the craft. Sener developed the hardware, including the umbilical release mechanism manufactured in Poland, after the mission was reconfigured.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: The European Space Agency performed landing gear tests in the Tabernas desert.
Fourth quarter of 2026: Flight units for the landing gear are scheduled for delivery.
2028: The ExoMars mission is targeted for its official launch.
Deeper Dive
This landing gear test is a vital step in the European Space Agency's ExoMars mission, which involves a complex international supply chain. The successful trial demonstrates a move toward mission readiness following the reconfiguration of the spacecraft's design.
The development of a drill capable of reaching two metres deep provides scientists with a new method to search for evidence of life protected from surface radiation. This technology may influence future robotic exploration designs on other planets and moons.
The takeaway
The successful testing of the landing gear marks a significant step forward in the European effort to reach Mars. It highlights the capability of European industrial partners to pivot and innovate when faced with complex logistical and geopolitical supply chain changes.
What happens next
Flight units for the landing gear are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the full mission launch currently targeted for 2028.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Space.
Live Poll
Do you believe the benefits of Mars exploration justify the cost of the mission?
