R-Ex Hero Moon
National Space Centre

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!

R-Ex Details
National Space Centre

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

  1. Trevor the Labrador Puppy
    National Space Centre

    Size:

    About the size of a labrador puppy, like trainee guide dog Trevor!

  2. Ankylosaurus
    Public Domain

    Top Speed:

    0.25 mph – that’s about one tenth the speed of an Ankylosaurus!

  3. Artist’s impression of asteroid Itokawa
    Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

    Daily Distance:

    300m, or roughly the same diameter as asteroid Itokawa

  4. R-Ex Camera
    National Space Centre

    Camera:

    400-megapixel camera, 4K video, Radar imaging, panoramic viewer, selfie mode, 3D imaging

  5. 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

  6. 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 Our data scientists have successfully decrypted some corrupted files sent from R-Ex's mission to explore new worlds. The images seem to show R-Ex in a number of locations that we have not yet been able to identify, so we are once again asking the public to send in their suggestions of where this rover might be. We can reveal that based on transmission time between the rover and Earth we believe it to be beyond Mars, but some blips in the data suggest it could be much closer. Any assistance is appreciated.

 

  • 17/06/26 Well done to all the puzzle solvers among you who worked out that R-Ex is exploring the new Outer Solar System experience at the National Space Centre! Rovers are often sent to new worlds to gather data before any human mission is planned, and so R-Ex will be checking out all the exhibits before we send in our astronauts (you). The new gallery will be opening on 30 June.

 

  • 20/06/26 R-Ex has been exploring Other Worlds, our new immersive experience opening as part of the Outer Solar System exhibition later this month, transporting you to moons, planets and more across the Solar System. Did you know? Rovers often take "selfies" of themselves on other planets using 360° cameras on selfie sticks.

 

  • 27/06/26 Our rover R-Ex is still sending us photos from the Outer Solar System gallery ahead of the opening on 30 June.

 

  • 30/06/26 The Outer Solar System gallery is now open!

 

  • 03/07/26 R-Ex has been exploring the new gallery and the 'Quake-Sensing Seismometer' has picked up some unusual activity. These waves were detected from a location near to Earth, but previous blips in data will result in scientists continuing to investigate the information.

 

  • 07/07/26 We are devastated to announce that R-Ex's search for ancient life seems to have ended in extinction! Our team is desperately working to find out WHO or WHAT could have done this!

 

  • 08/07/26 A confirmed final transmission from R-Ex has revealed its fate. In R-Ex's search for ancient life, little did we know we would find a Tyrannosaurus rex! Opening the new gallery has had consequences we didn't expect, and life has found a way! But rest assured, our Robotic Engineers are working hard behind the scenes to see if R-Ex can be put back together.

 

  • 18/08/2026 We have some T-Rex-iffic news for you! After being attacked by a dinosaur earlier this Summer, our rover R-Ex has made a full recovery and is now enjoying a peaceful retirement exploring the Martian surface in the Our Solar System gallery. Wish R-Ex well in the comments, and take it for a spin next time you visit!

Images