Mars mission named after DNA pioneer

A ROBOTIC rover that will dig beneath the Martian surface to look for signs of life will be named after British DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin. The name was among a number suggested by the public and agreed by a judging panel. Miss Franklin (pictured) helped discover DNA, taking X-ray images that helped uncover the molecule’s double helix structure. But she did not get the recognition that was her due because she died of ovarian cancer aged 37 in 1958.

The name was revealed by astronaut Tim Peake yesterday. Built and designed in the UK, the rover will roam the Martian surface and drill about two metres into it to look for signs of ancient life.