ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Parachute Baked Sterile at ESTEC Ahead of 2028 Mars Mission

ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Parachute Baked Sterile at ESTEC Ahead of 2028 Mars Mission

- A 35‑metre, 74‑kg parachute for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover was heat‑sterilised at ESA’s ESTEC facility in the Netherlands. - The sterilisation completes a key planetary protection milestone ahead of the mission’s planned 2028 launch. - The parachute will slow the rover during descent through the Martian atmosphere. - The procedure aims to minimise biological contamination of Mars and supports integration and further mission preparations.

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