The European Space Agency (ESA) has said it has held talks with Russian space agency Roscosmos on the ExoMars rover’s mission to look for signs of life on the surface of Mars.
ESA’s press office confirmed the talks in an emailed statement, but gave no indication of the outcome. An update could follow an ESA Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, he said.
The agency said in March that it was suspending cooperation with Roscosmos for its joint ExoMars program following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roscosmos, told the Russian news agency TASS over the weekend that ESA would consult its members after the talks, but added that the chances of resuming co-operation were low.
“If they meet halfway and say they agree, then the mission can be implemented,” TASS said, citing Rogozin, adding that the launch could take place in 2024.