#NASA announced that a #SpaceX #FalconHeavy would launch #ESA’s Rosalind Franklin mission to #Mars 🔴

[spaceflight@spacey.space]

RE: https://mastodon.social/@europeanspaceflight/116419569201467886

#NASA announced that a #SpaceX #FalconHeavy would launch #ESA’s Rosalind Franklin mission to #Mars

[spaceflight@spacey.space]

When will #SpaceX launch the first payload to #Mars that will land there ?

[galbinuscaeli@spacey.space]

@spaceflight Define "Land"

[spaceflight@spacey.space]

@GalbinusCaeli I think their plan is to land the spacecraft safely so that it can carry out its #scientific mission https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/ExoMars_rover, could amount to “in one piece”

[richardnairn@mstdn.ca]

@spaceflight How is Never not on the list…

[spaceflight@spacey.space]

@RichardNairn why, do you expect budget cuts for #ExoMars ? https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/mars-rosa/2026/04/16/nasa-begins-implementation-for-esas-rosalind-franklin-mission-to-mars/

[spaceflight@spacey.space]

#ExoMars descent module drop test. A system installed in all four legs detects when the spacecraft approaches the surface and triggers the shutdown of the descent engines after a soft landing https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/01/Legs_made_for_a_Mars_landing

On 7 July 2025 a high-altitude balloon carried a test capsule to an altitude of 29 kilometers to test the #parachute 🪂 under near-space conditions https://sscspace.com/news/esa-testing-martian-parachutes-from-the-edge-of-space/

#ESA #Mars

[spaceflight@spacey.space]

#ExoMars parachute 🪂 high-altitude drop test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWqlh6T-PFk&t=6s

#ESA #Mars

[richardnairn@mstdn.ca]

@spaceflight Failure is always an option.