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, Radar imaging, 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 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!
Images
