ExoMars eyes ancient Martian clay beds for signs of life

ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover will land at Oxia Planum to study vast clay-bearing sediments that extend toward Mawrth Vallis, hinting at extensive past water activity and possibly an ancient ocean. The mission will drill up to two metres and analyze samples to search for biosignatures while orbiters show similar mineral layers and a paused deposition history, informing Mars’ early climate and habitability and helping reconstruct its water history.