Zurich – The next Mars Rover is launching into space in 2020 on a mission to explore the red planet. Several of its parts have been built by RUAG Space in the Greater Zurich Area, where the vehicle’s drive and steering are now being tested.

The next Mars Rover does not yet have a name, but it is already scheduled for a mission to Mars in 2020. The aim is to uncover whether life exists or has ever existed on the red planet.

Swiss expertise helped create the new Mars Rover, with aerospace company RUAG Space delivering two central structures, according to a statement. The first structure is part of the Rover’s chassis, while the other forms part of the transport module that will transport the vehicle and a land probe into space.   

Not only are parts for the mission being built at RUAG Space’s Zurich site – the Swiss plant is also trialing the Mars Rover’s drive and steering in a sandy test environment. Additionally, RUAG Space built a simulation tool to evaluate the Rover’s wheels. With the tool, the team can analyse the vehicle’s – and in particular its wheels’ – handling on different types of sand.

The Rover will be launched into space with the ExoMars 2020 Rover Mission, which is part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Aurora Programme. The main contractor is Thales Alenia Space Italia. 

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