After a saga of broken promises, a European rover finally has a ride to Mars

ESA and NASA struck a new 2024 deal to revive the long-delayed ExoMars mission and send the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars.

The US will provide launch, landing, and heating support, while Europe supplies the rover, carrier spacecraft, and surface operations.

After the breakup with Russia, the agreement salvages a major European Mars mission that had been in jeopardy.

It also highlights how international partnerships are reshaping planetary exploration.