Mars rover technology tested out on Highland rocks

In the picturesque community of Lower Diabaig, located on the West Highland coast of Scotland, scientists are conducting important tests on technology that will be used in the search for life on Mars. This charming area features a row of white-walled houses nestled beneath a rocky hill, all set against the backdrop of a serene loch. On a sunny day, the scenery is simply breathtaking. The European Space Agency, known as ESA, has ambitious plans to send a robotic rover to the Red Planet. This rover will not only study the geology of Mars but also search for fossils and minerals that could provide clues about past life. A dedicated team from the University of St Andrews has been testing their equipment in Lower Diabaig, where they have access to ancient rocks that are billions of years old and bear a striking resemblance to those found on Mars. The trials have involved using cameras that will serve as the rover's 'eyes' and specialized equipment designed to detect ancient biological materials preserved within the rock. The ESA's Mars exploration program consists of two missions. The first mission, called the Trace Gas Orbiter, was successfully launched in 2016. The second mission is scheduled for launch in 2028, with the goal of landing the rover on the Martian surface. This robotic explorer is named after a renowned scientist who passed away in 1958. ESA has stated that these missions aim to address the fundamental question of whether life has ever existed on Mars. Dr. Claire Cousins, a researcher at the University of St Andrews, emphasized the importance of rigorous testing for the mission's technology on Earth to ensure its effectiveness on Mars. She noted that the unique geology surrounding Lower Diabaig is 'ideal' for this purpose. In an interview with BBC Scotland, she explained, 'The rocks haven't metamorphosed right; they haven't been cooked and squeezed and crushed under mountain belts. They have been beautifully preserved - a slice of time. ' The rocks in this area include billion-year-old mudstone and other types of rock that are layered on top of one another. Dr. Cousins pointed out that these formations are perfect for demonstrating that there was once liquid water, indicating a habitable environment for life. Furthermore, these rocks are excellent at capturing evidence of ancient biological activity, which is often sandwiched between the layers. She added, 'We don't know yet if there was ever life on Mars, but these are the kinds of rocks that are going to preserve it. ' ESA is hopeful that its second mission to Mars will launch in 2028. The rover itself is a compact machine equipped with six wheels and solar panels on its upper section. It features a long arm with cameras attached to it, allowing it to explore its surroundings. The scientists have created a test area that mimics the Martian landscape to evaluate how the rover will perform. Seven years ago, NASA sent a Mars rover named Curiosity to explore the planet's geological features. Interestingly, NASA has named several Martian geological areas after locations on Earth, including some from Scotland. For instance, the name Torridon was chosen for a region on Mars due to the Torridonian Supergroup, a geological formation in the north-west Highlands that contains some of the oldest evidence of life found in the UK. The community of Glenelg even celebrated when they learned that a location on Mars was named in their honor.