ESA advances Mars lander technology for 2035 mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) is laying the groundwork for a Mars surface lander, targeting a launch by the mid-2030s, space news outlets reported. Building on its upcoming Rosalind Franklin rover mission, set to launch in 2028, ESA aims to develop advanced entry, descent, and landing technologies for high-precision landings on the Red Planet.

A recent call for proposals seeks to advance guided entry lander capabilities and avoid technological roadblocks. This early development phase will provide insights into technology readiness, timelines, and budget estimates ahead of a critical ESA ministerial meeting in Bremen, Germany, this November.

ESA highlights 2035 as a prime launch window for Mars missions, leveraging favorable planetary alignments that occur every 26 months. The initiative is part of ESA’s broader “Explore 2040” campaign, which includes plans for LightShip — an electric propulsive tug designed to transport spacecraft, provide navigation and communication, and carry scientific payloads to Mars.