Unfolding the ramps that will guide the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover onto the martian surface requires a few engineering tricks. This close-up image of the hinge shows a part of the mechanism that will swing the ramps open on the Red Planet.

Rosalind’s lander has two sets of ramps that the rover will use to drive down and start scouting the once water-rich terrain of Oxia Planum in the search for signs of life.

The three-metre-long ramps will travel folded through millions of kilometres between Earth and Mars. Upon touchdown, a single bolt will trigger the deployment choreography. This release will be one of the mission's most nerve-racking moments after landing on Mars in 2030.

This hinge will enable an automated, synchronised deployment of the ramps. The two linked rollers at the centre of the image will ensure a smooth release. The orange sensor cables threaded below will help confirm the deployment, while the two black carbon fibre tubes on the sides will act as guide rails to prevent the rover for falling off the ramps. The aluminium ramps have a milled pattern to improve grip with the rover's six wheels.

Rocket vibrations, martian winds and solar heat fluxes have been taken into account for the release mechanism. The whole operation will take a maximum of five minutes on Mars.

Watch the hinge in action during a confidence test at Astronika facilities in Poland.

At the recent ESA Ministerial Council in Germany, Member States reaffirmed their strong backing for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission and secured its full funding. With work advancing on schedule, and with NASA’s continued partnership, the mission remains on track for a 2028 launch.