Life On - Mars (uk)

: 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.

: Research involving the University of Oxford and Imperial College London recently pointed to the likely presence of deep liquid water aquifers in the Martian mid-crust—a critical prerequisite for life. The UK's Scientific Role Life on Mars (UK)

: Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Oxford have published warnings about "false fossils"—non-biological chemical processes that can create structures virtually identical to biological ones. : This European Space Agency (ESA) rover, largely

: Scientists at University College London (UCL) and Imperial College London are developing key technologies, such as infrared spectrometers and new testing methods to detect active life using existing rover equipment. The UK's Scientific Role : Researchers from the

: In April 2026, scientists announced that NASA's Curiosity rover detected its most diverse collection of organic molecules yet, including benzothiophene and nitrogen-bearing compounds that serve as precursors to DNA .