Europe installs 'selfie' mirror on Mars probe

A $1.2 billion "selfie" mirror built into the rover's nose will help it take pictures of itself on Mars.

The "selfie" mirror helps the camera capture images of the probe on Mars. Photo: AB Video Studio.

The European Space Agency (ESA) will install a "selfie" mirror and camera on the front of the ExoMars Mars probe. The ship is expected to be launched into space in 2020, Science World Report reported on December 29.

The mirror was designed by a team of scientists from Aberytwyth University, UK with the sponsorship of ESA. According to Dr. Matthew Gunn, who is in charge of the research team, the "selfie" mirror, worth about 1.2 billion USD, is a key component in the space mission. The camera will take panoramic pictures of the surface of the Red Planet, while the mirror will help it capture images of the spacecraft itself.

“The ‘selfie’ mirror will provide images that will help us determine if there are any problems with the ship,” said Dr Gunn.

Scientists say this is a very important factor, especially after the technical failure during drilling of NASA's Mars Curiosity rover. The mirror is a solution to monitor the surface below the rover. In addition, the images it records will help indicate suitable locations to search for life on the surface of the Red Planet.

According to VNE