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05/01/2004
Scientists hopeful of contacting Beagle
As the Mars Express orbiter nears its final low orbit trajectory around Mars, Wednesday January 7 marks what is considered to be the final chance to establish contact with the Beagle 2 lander.
The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed last night that the initial manoeuvre involving a five-minute main engine burn to place the orbiter into a low orbit with a closest planetary approach of 300 km had been successful.
The orbiter will be able to perform its mission despite the failure to contact the lander module. The orbiter has a high resolution stereo camera (HRSC) array that will be used to produce detailed maps of the planet's suface and the MARSIS ground penetrating radar will probe deep beneath the red planet's surface.
At around 13.15 CET on Wednesday, the 'mothership' orbiter will be at its closest point to the area where its silent 'baby' Beagle 2 is thought to have landed. ESA said that the relatively short range UHF communications system between the two craft is the only "end to end tested" system in use and have not given up hopes of contacting or at least locating the lander.
Mars Express Project Manager Dr Rudolf Schmidt said: “At this precise time, our Mars Express orbiter is in both an ideal flight path and an ideal communication configuration, right on top of the Beagle 2 landing area, at about 86 degrees. In this situation, we should be able to discern the slightest beep on the Martian surface.”
The ESA also congratulated their American counterparts at NASA MER team on the successful touchdown of the 'Spirit' lander.
(SP)
The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed last night that the initial manoeuvre involving a five-minute main engine burn to place the orbiter into a low orbit with a closest planetary approach of 300 km had been successful.
The orbiter will be able to perform its mission despite the failure to contact the lander module. The orbiter has a high resolution stereo camera (HRSC) array that will be used to produce detailed maps of the planet's suface and the MARSIS ground penetrating radar will probe deep beneath the red planet's surface.
At around 13.15 CET on Wednesday, the 'mothership' orbiter will be at its closest point to the area where its silent 'baby' Beagle 2 is thought to have landed. ESA said that the relatively short range UHF communications system between the two craft is the only "end to end tested" system in use and have not given up hopes of contacting or at least locating the lander.
Mars Express Project Manager Dr Rudolf Schmidt said: “At this precise time, our Mars Express orbiter is in both an ideal flight path and an ideal communication configuration, right on top of the Beagle 2 landing area, at about 86 degrees. In this situation, we should be able to discern the slightest beep on the Martian surface.”
The ESA also congratulated their American counterparts at NASA MER team on the successful touchdown of the 'Spirit' lander.
(SP)
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19 December 2003
Beagle 2 lander separates from orbiter module
The European Space Operations Centre has confirmed that the Beagle 2 lander successfully separated from the orbiter at around 11.15GMT on Friday December 19. The ESA announced that the Mars Express spacecraft had "flawlessly released" the Beagle 2 lander that it has been carrying since its launch on June 2 this year.
Beagle 2 lander separates from orbiter module
The European Space Operations Centre has confirmed that the Beagle 2 lander successfully separated from the orbiter at around 11.15GMT on Friday December 19. The ESA announced that the Mars Express spacecraft had "flawlessly released" the Beagle 2 lander that it has been carrying since its launch on June 2 this year.
07 January 2004
Mars Express fails to raise Beagle 2
Attempts by the Mars Express orbiter to raise the silent Beagle 2 lander have met with no success today, confirmed the European Space Agency (Esa) team in Germany.
Mars Express fails to raise Beagle 2
Attempts by the Mars Express orbiter to raise the silent Beagle 2 lander have met with no success today, confirmed the European Space Agency (Esa) team in Germany.
02 June 2003
Mars Express set to make European first
With final checks underway, the first venture to Mars by the European Space Agency (ESA) is due to launch later today. Constructed on a shoestring budget, the spacecraft, which includes the British-built Mars lander Beagle 2, has been built in record time.
Mars Express set to make European first
With final checks underway, the first venture to Mars by the European Space Agency (ESA) is due to launch later today. Constructed on a shoestring budget, the spacecraft, which includes the British-built Mars lander Beagle 2, has been built in record time.
19 May 2003
UK's key role in ESA Mars mission hailed
UK industry and scientific know-how is playing a key role in the search for life on the red planet. Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today said that UK engineering and scientific expertise was essential to Europe's historic mission to find life on Mars.
UK's key role in ESA Mars mission hailed
UK industry and scientific know-how is playing a key role in the search for life on the red planet. Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today said that UK engineering and scientific expertise was essential to Europe's historic mission to find life on Mars.
27 August 2003
Mars approaches for Earth close encounter
Mars and Earth will approach each other for their closest pass in 59,000 years this evening, making the Red Planet the third brightest object in the night sky, outshone only by the Moon and Venus.
Mars approaches for Earth close encounter
Mars and Earth will approach each other for their closest pass in 59,000 years this evening, making the Red Planet the third brightest object in the night sky, outshone only by the Moon and Venus.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
