NASA selected SpaceX's Falcon Heavy to potentially launch the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars by late 2028 for a reported $175.7M. However, the White House's FY2027 budget proposal suggests canceling NASA's participation in the mission, putting its future in jeopardy. This marks NASA's second attempt at an ExoMars partnership after previous cancellations due to budget constraints.

SpaceX has secured its first Mars launch with NASA selecting its Falcon Heavy rocket to deploy the Rosalind Franklin rover in late 2028. This mission, part of the ExoMars program, aims to search for signs of life on Mars. NASA will provide crucial support, including a propulsion system and specialized instruments for the rover's scientific objectives.

NASA has selected a SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover for the European Space Agency no earlier than late 2028. This decision follows a partnership agreement from May 2024, with ESA independently developing the mission after cutting ties with Roscosmos. ESA awarded a €522 million contract to Thales Alenia Space on April 9, 2024, for mission elements.