ExoMars Landing Site Graphic – Mawrth Vallis

ExoMars Landing Site Graphic – Mawrth Vallis

This graphic of Mawrth Vallis shows one of the final two potential landing sites for the ExoMars 2020 mission. It was used during a meeting held here at the National Space Centre during which experts from the ExoMars Landing Site Selection Working Group (LSSWG) met to recommend a landing site for the mission.

ExoMars 2020 is a joint mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian space agency Roscosmos to search for signs of life on Mars. A stationary surface platform will study the Martian environment, while a rover will travel across the surface and drill down to collect samples from depths of up to two metres.

The choice of landing site had been narrowed down to two possibilities, Oxia Planum and Mawrth Vallis. They are both located just north of the Martian equator, separated by a few hundred kilometres. This region shows evidence that water was present on the surface of Mars billions of years ago, making it a good place to search for signs of life.
The LSSWG also had to consider which site had the best chance for a successful landing. Mars is a difficult place to land a spacecraft due to its thin atmosphere. The landing site must also be safe for the rover to venture around. Large boulders could cause damage and steep slopes could cause it to fall over.

After considering both the scientific merits and the likelihood of a successful landing at each site, the group recommended Oxia Planum because it is a significantly safer option for landing. This recommendation will be reviewed by ESA and Roscosmos with an official confirmation expected mid-2019.