The next European Rover, which is scheduled for launch next year, will be named in honor of the famous scientist Rosalind Franklin, whose work led to the discovery of the structure of DNA. In July last year, the space Agency of the UK announced a competition to name the Rover, scheduled for launch in 2020 in the framework of the current mission ExoMars. People from all over the European Union introduced the 36 000 titles and a panel of experts chose Rosalind Franklin.
“Rosalind Franklin” will fly to Mars
In 1953, the British chemist Franklin took an x-ray of the DNA strand, providing the first visual confirmation of its structure as a double helix. She died just five years later, at the age of 37 years. For many years her contribution to science was ignored, but the situation gradually changed, and now her name adorns the asteroid and a lot of buildings and decorations.
“In the last year of life Rosalind, I remember visiting her in the hospital that day she was excited by the news of the Soviet Sputnik beginning of space exploration,” said Franklin’s sister, Jenifer Glynn. “She could not imagine that after 60 years, the Mars Rover will be sent with its name, but it somehow makes this project even more special.”
Mission ExoMars is managed by European space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos. Originally, ExoMars will consist of three parts: the Orbiter, Rover and lander “Schiaparelli”, named after the Italian astronomer. The lander and Orbiter together went to Mars in 2016, paving the way for the Rover, which will follow shortly. But, unfortunately, the trip of spacecraft to Mars didn’t end well. The Orbiter entered the orbit of Mars, but “Schiaparelli” crashed into the surface of the red planet, which was probably caused by a software error.
The Agency hopes that the mission “Rosalind Franklin” will be more successful. Currently in the UK, built six-wheeled Rover is solar-powered. The Rover will be able to move over rough terrain and is equipped for drilling to a depth of three meters below the surface. Also it will be the camera, radar and onboard laboratory to analyze rock samples, in particular, for signs of life on Mars.
If all goes well with the launch of 2020, “Rosalind Franklin” will land on Mars in 2021.