ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Parachute Baked Sterile at ESTEC Ahead of 2028 Mars Mission
- A 35‑metre-diameter parachute for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover was heat‑sterilised at ESA’s ESTEC facility in the Netherlands. - The 74‑kilogram parachute will slow the rover during descent through the Martian atmosphere. - The sterilisation completes a planetary protection milestone ahead of the mission’s planned 2028 launch. - The work supports preparations to prevent forward contamination of Mars during the ExoMars campaign.
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