SpaceX set for 2028 launch of Europe’s Rosalind Franklin Mars rover
TL;DR Summary
SpaceX has secured its first Mars mission by launching Europe’s Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars in late 2028 aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center. The rover is part of ESA’s ExoMars program, which faced delays after NASA’s initial involvement waned and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted partnerships; NASA later rejoined in 2024 to provide propulsion components and a mass spectrometer for life-detection, solidifying a path to the planned 2028 liftoff within Mars launch windows that occur roughly every 26 months.
- This life-hunting rover may be SpaceX's 1st-ever Mars launch Space
- NASA selects Falcon Heavy to launch ESA Mars rover mission despite budget threat SpaceNews
- NASA Begins Implementation for ESA’s Rosalind Franklin Mission to Mars NASA Science (.gov)
- After a saga of broken promises, a European rover finally has a ride to Mars Ars Technica
- NASA restarts work to support Europe's uncrewed trip to Mars after years of setbacks Engadget
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