: UK scientists emphasize "planetary protection," highlighting the need to ensure that any life found is truly Martian and not terrestrial microbes accidentally carried on spacecraft.
: This European Space Agency (ESA) rover, largely built by Airbus in Stevenage , is scheduled for a 2028 launch . It features a specialized 2-meter drill designed to collect samples from deep beneath the surface, away from harsh surface radiation. Life on Mars (UK)
British expertise is central to current and upcoming Mars missions: : UK scientists emphasize "planetary protection
: In late 2025, the Perseverance rover identified minerals in the Bright Angel Formation that are closely associated with living microbes on Earth. largely built by Airbus in Stevenage