RedSpace Ltd Contracted by Airbus to Characterise UHF Transceiver Crystals for ESA’s ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Rover and Descent Module
Farnborough, UK – RedSpace Ltd is pleased to announce that Airbus has awarded the company a contract to perform detailed RF characterisation of the UHF transceiver crystals integrated within the communications hardware for the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover and its descent module. Airbus is delivering this work on behalf of its customer, Thales Alenia Space, the prime contractor for the ExoMars mission.
RedSpace will carry out precision measurements of the crystal oscillators embedded within the flight‑model UHF transceivers, focusing on frequency stability and performance under controlled laboratory conditions. These measurements will assist Airbus and Thales Alenia Space in validating communications performance prior to launch.
“We are proud to support Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and ESA on such a significant European space‑science mission,” said Paul Thompson, Managing Director of RedSpace Ltd. “Accurate characterisation of the transceiver crystals is essential to ensuring that the rover and descent module can reliably communicate with Mars‑orbiting spacecraft once on the surface.”
The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover will search for past life on Mars using a unique 2‑metre subsurface drill and advanced onboard laboratory instruments. Its UHF radio system plays a crucial role in delivering scientific data and telemetry to orbiters for relay back to Earth.
“Supporting such an ambitious science and exploration programme demonstrates RedSpace’s growing expertise in RF characterisation and our commitment to Europe’s space‑industry partnerships,” Thompson added.
Testing is currently in progress, with final reporting expected later in 2026.
