The House of Butterflies hosted a highly successful public talk on the ExoMars mission and the Rosalind Franklin rover, organized by the University of Almería. The event gathered numerous individuals interested in science and space exploration, who had the opportunity to delve into the pre-launch work of this emblematic mission and learn firsthand how the Tabernas Desert has become a key location for Martian simulation.
The vehicle, manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space, is being prepared by the European Space Agency for its journey to Mars in 2028. Before its voyage, it is undergoing various tests in the Tabernas Desert.
The event featured prominent experts linked to the project, such as Vicent Shaeffer from Airbus-Spain, led by researcher Susanne Schwenzer, Professor of Planetary Mineralogy at The Open University and a member of NASA's Curiosity mission. She provided valuable insights into the test operations and scientific implications of the mission. She was accompanied by physicist Fernando Rull and the Chair of External Geodynamics at the UAL, José María Calaforra.
“"We are preparing for the ExoMars mission and training people to learn how to operate a rover in a desert environment. The Tabernas Desert is, visually, an excellent analogue of Mars."
Furthermore, she explained the dynamic work that scientific teams conduct in this terrain. "If we come here with our rover, we can simulate as if it were on Mars. People sit on the ground, write the commands for the rover to execute each one, and understand the geology and where it can circulate. This way, when the rover lands on Mars, we will be in a position to know how to do it."
The meeting also addressed ExoMars' main scientific goal: the search for biological traces. Regarding the significance of finding evidence of past or present life, Schwenzer emphasized the philosophical and scientific dimension of such a discovery. "It's about the question: are we alone or is there other life out there? Is there or was there life on Mars and is it connected to us? These are fundamental questions that would completely change how we think about ourselves."
“"I think the most important thing when you explore a planet like Mars is to remain open to surprises and never assume you know everything."
Finally, the researcher shared a fundamental lesson learned from her decade-long participation in NASA's Curiosity project, fully applicable to the new phase with Rosalind Franklin. The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, where attendees showed their enthusiasm for the crucial role Almería province plays in advancing international space exploration.
