Aberystwyth delivers part for Mars rover

A key instrument for the space mission has left Aberystwyth University.

The infrared spectrometer, named Enfys, will be a part of the suite of remote sensing instruments onboard the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Rover and will be tested in Italy.

The Rosalind Franklin Rover is part of the European Space Agency’s ExoMars programme and Europe’s first Mars rover.

Designed to be operated remotely across the planet’s rugged terrain, it will drill up to two metres beneath the surface to analyse samples for organic compounds and biomarkers – potential signs of past or present life.

Enfys will work alongside PanCam (a camera system led by UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory) to pinpoint mineral targets.

It is hoped these insights will enable the rover to select optimal drilling sites on the Martian surface, with samples analysed by other onboard instruments.

The development and testing of Enfys is led by Aberystwyth University, with support from Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) at UCL, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Qioptiq Ltd.

Aberystwyth University was given greater responsibility for the mission after the cancellation of collaboration with Russia’s Roscosmos following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Enfys’ development was made possible by an additional £10.7mln from the UK Space Agency.