The European Area Company (ESA) has resumed talks with Russia to cooperate on a Mars mission that had beforehand been placed on maintain, the area company has confirmed.

Dmitry Rogozin, head of Russia's Roscosmos area company, stated on Sunday that negotiations on the ExoMars mission had been resumed and that there was a possible for launch in 2024.

When contacted for remark, an ESA spokesperson instructed Newsweek: "We affirm that the dialogue relating to ExoMars has taken place. Additional updates would possibly observe after the ESA Council this Wednesday. We are going to difficulty a press launch."

ESA had beforehand stated that plans for the upcoming ExoMars mission—which is able to see a rover being positioned on the floor of the Purple Planet with the aim of looking for proof of previous life—had been suspended on account of Russia's extensively condemned invasion of Ukraine.

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On this mixture picture, Mars (High left), EU flag (High Proper), Ukrainian flag (Backside left) and the pinnacle of Russia's Roscosmos area company, Dmitry Rogozin (Backside proper). iStock / Getty Pictures

The area company stated on March 17 that "we deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic penalties" of the invasion and that it supported sanctions imposed upon Russia by EU member states in response.

It additionally stated there was a "current impossibility" of engaged on the ExoMars mission with Russia and that it was assessing whether or not there have been different methods ahead with the mission.

Nevertheless, talking to Russian state information company TASS on Sunday, Rogozin stated that ESA officers had stated they'd make requests to ESA member states and that the mission may nonetheless go forward "in the event that they cooperate and provides their consent."

Roscosmos is reported to expect a response in late June.

The entire ExoMars mission is a joint effort between Roscosmos and ESA and the primary a part of the mission, a Mars orbiter, was launched again in 2016. Earlier than Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the ExoMars rover was set to be launched later this 12 months.

After ESA suspended plans for the mission, Rogozin recommended that Russia may carry it out alone "with out inviting any 'European pals' preferring to maintain their tails between their legs the second they hear their American grasp's indignant voice," in line with a message posted on his Telegram channel, per TASS—although doubt was forged on whether or not Russia would be capable to do that. Rogozin additionally acknowledged that the mission could be delayed by "a number of years" on this case.

Rogozin is thought for his outspoken assist of President Vladimir Putin and of Russia's army assault which has killed 4,395 civilians in Ukraine together with 102 women, 105 boys, and 68 youngsters whose intercourse was not but recognized between the beginning of the invasion on February 24 and June 12, in line with the Workplace of the U.N. Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).