Meet Robotic-Explorer: R-Ex
- 12th Jun 2026
- Author: Chloe Hopkinson
Say "Hello!" to Robotic-Explorer (R-Ex)!
We’re sending R-Ex on a top-secret mission to venture into the unknown to discover other worlds and search for signs of ancient life!
Follow along for updates on R-Ex's discoveries!
Who is R-Ex?
Built at the National Space Centre, home to the Beagle 2 Lander Operations Control Centre in 2003, R-Ex is our fearless pioneer and explorer, endeavouring to unearth the mysteries of the universe.
In our 25th year however, R-Ex has set out to uncover one of the greatest questions of our time: Is there any evidence of ancient life in our Solar System? Using its superior technology, including a SuperCam Remote Imager and a sound-seeking detection system, R-Ex has begun its voyage to finally unravel any secrets the Solar System could be hiding…
Fact File
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![Trevor the Labrador Puppy]()
National Space Centre Size:
About the size of a labrador puppy, like trainee guide dog Trevor!
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![Ankylosaurus]()
Public Domain Top Speed:
0.25 mph – that’s about one tenth the speed of an Ankylosaurus!
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![Artist’s impression of asteroid Itokawa]()
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Daily Distance:
300m, or roughly the same diameter as asteroid Itokawa
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![R-Ex Camera]()
National Space Centre Camera:
400-megapixel camera, 4K video, panoramic viewer, selfie mode, 3D imaging
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![R-Ex Beneath]()
National Space Centre Science Instruments:
SuperCam Remote Imager, quake-sensing seismometer, bio-thermal scanner, sound-seeking detection system, top-of-the-line solar panels
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![Mission Patch R-Ex]()
National Space Centre Mission Objectives:
To venture into the unknown to discover other worlds and search for signs of ancient life
Mission Updates:
Updates provided by the Discovery Team at the National Space Centre, who love to share what R-Ex is up to!
12/06/26
