Claire and Grace's Martian research showcased on 2 BBC programmes!

Dr Claire Cousins', Dr Eva Stüeken, and PhD student Grace Nielson's research activities feature in two BBC documentaries. Firstly her expedition to test ESA's Rosalind Franklin-rover technology on the Mars-analogue geology of the NW Highlands was documented by BBC Landward and secondly her micro-scale investigation of these rocks was featured on the BBC Sky at Night programme.

The project is funded by the UK Space Agency and involves fieldwork in North West Scotland with two emulator instruments representing the Panoramic Camera (PanCam) and Enfys IR Spectrometer instruments on the European Space Agency ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover payload.

Dr Cousins said: “Our Understanding of Mars is rooted in geological knowledge inherited from the Earth. Rock formations here are vital testing grounds for new instruments that are destined for the Martian surface. It’s hoped these instruments – PanCam and Enfys – will allow the ExoMars rover team to identify those geological formations at the landing site that not only betray once habitable water-rich environments that existed billions of years ago, but also rocks that are excellent at preserving the long-gone remnants of microbial life.”

Image from BBC Landwards of PhD student Grace Nielson trialing Mars-bourne techniques on the magnificent geology fo the NW Highlands.