The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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The drill of the Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover during integration and testing at Airbus Defence and Space, Stevenage, UK.
The range of motion shows the drill unit position when it is stowed (horizontal) and when it will be in use (vertical). It will contain a drill that can extend to 2 m below the martian surface, to retrieve samples from depth, and will deliver them to the rover’s onboard laboratory to seek out signs of ancient life.
The footage is not in real time.