Funding has been awarded to space scientists at the University of Aberdeen to further develop their technology to evaluate the habitability of Mars.

The Planetary Sciences Group will receive £320,000 from the UK Space Agency to support the implementation of HABIT (Habitability; Brine, Irradiation and Temperature), an instrument developed by the researchers to measure key conditions on the planet.

The technology will be included on a lander expected to touch down on Mars’ surface around 2028-30 and led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), who’s embarking on a comprehensive long-term Mars exploration programme.

As well as measuring conditions, HABIT will be used in an attempt to produce liquid water on Mars for the first time, based on the theory that there are unique salts on the planet surface which absorb water from the atmosphere and produce liquid water (in the form of brines) at night when the temperature is lowest.

The funding will enable the scientists to create a unique “Martian chamber” that will be used for the calibration of HABIT, so that it can be ready to perform its exploration of Mars’ water cycle, chemistry, and habitability.

The chamber will be a box about the size of a refrigerator, recreating the temperatures, pressures, and atmospheric conditions of the Martian surface, essentially creating a Mars environment on Earth.

Speaking on the funding, Professor Javier Martin-Torres, who leads Aberdeen’s Planetary Sciences Group, said: “HABIT is designed to monitor various environmental conditions crucial for understanding the presence of liquid brine and supporting (bio)chemical reactions on Mars.

“It is a critical component for the mission as HABIT will work with other instruments onboard the lander to enhance the understanding of Mars’ habitability.

“Our technology will make an important contribution in answering fundamental questions not only in Mars science and astrobiology but could also pave the way for future human exploration.

“We are delighted to be one of only seven universities in the UK – and the only one in Scotland – to be part of this funding award which will keep the country in the forefront of Mars research and astrobiology.”

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Dr Paul Bate, the chief executive of the UK Space Agency, also commented: “The University of Aberdeen’s work with JAXA on environment monitoring technology for Martian rovers demonstrates how UK science can make crucial contributions to ground-breaking global missions that will deepen our understanding of our neighbouring planets.

“Our funding will help catalyse international investment into the UK space sector and highlights the value we place on sharing knowledge and expertise with our counterparts overseas to push the boundaries of space exploration.”