The first simulation of driving the ExoMars rover from its landing pad has successfully taken place. Indeed, after the nerve-wracking descent to the surface of Mars, the moment when the Rosalind rover will leave the landing pad and drive on Martian soil for the first time will be highly anticipated. To make sure there are no nasty surprises, ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover twin, Amalia, had to undergo its first driving simulation and successfully left the platform during recent tests in a Martian soil simulator at ALTEC’s Turin facility.

The exit is a long and crucial operation. If the rover drives for about 15 minutes during testing, the entire operation will take several Martian days. The landing pad has two exit ramps: one at the front and another at the back, and it is up to ground control to decide which is the safest way out for the rover.

“Once the six wheels hit the Martian surface, it will be the beginning of the story for this rover on Mars. We feel ready and looking forward to the real mission,” says Andrea Merlo of Thales Alenia Space, head of robotics for the ExoMars mission.