ScienceApr 17, 2026WinWinner: SpaceXAwarded by: NASAMajor Win

NASA selects Falcon Heavy to launch ESA Mars rover mission despite budget threat

References

SpaceNews European Spaceflight X · European Space Agency X · SpaceX

Story Brief

NASA has selected SpaceX's Falcon Heavy to launch a European Mars rover, support for which the agency is once again proposing to cancel.

ROSA provides support for the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin rover mission to Mars. Primary source in this brief is SpaceNews (2026-04-17).

Win Signal

Winner: SpaceX

Awarding entity: NASA

Impact level: Major win

Reference Details

SpaceNews

NASA has selected SpaceX's Falcon Heavy to launch a European Mars rover, support for which the agency is once again proposing to cancel.

https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-falcon-heavy-to-launch-esa-mars-rover-mission-despite-budget-threat/

European Spaceflight

NASA has selected a SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover in 2028.

https://europeanspaceflight.com/esas-mars-rover-to-launch-aboard-spacex-falcon-heavy-in-2028/

X · European Space Agency

Our Mars rover mission Rosalind Franklin is scheduled to be launched in 2028, with the support of @NASA. It will be the first ever to drill up to two metres below the Red Planet's…

https://x.com/esa/status/2045058362404909106

X · SpaceX

Falcon Heavy will launch the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars in late 2028 https://t.co/ekR2r8uAJr https://t.co/Dis4Y11v5U

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2044942515854352491

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Mentioned Companies & Entities

SpaceX NASA

Technologies Involved

Mars Rover Science