Menu
07/01/2004
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.
The orbiter, which swooped to a close approach just 315 kilometres above the Beagle 2's intended landing area in an attempt to contact the lander, failed to detect any radio signals from the missing British module.
Since Christmas attempts to communicate with the tiny lander through NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter and radio telescopes on Earth have been unsuccessful. However, the team remained hopeful that the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) receivers on Mars Express, specifically designed and fully compatibility tested, would be able to reach the Beagle 2 today.
At a press conference held this afternoon the Head of the Science at Esa David Southwood said that although no signals had been received from the surface of Mars it was not the end of the story.
The chief scientist on the Beagle 2 project, Professor Colin Pillinger, pledged that though the team was disappointed, they would "play to the final whistle".
Further attempts to search for any signal from Beagle will be made by Mars Express as it continues with its mission to map the planet's surface and sub-surface features.
(SP)
The orbiter, which swooped to a close approach just 315 kilometres above the Beagle 2's intended landing area in an attempt to contact the lander, failed to detect any radio signals from the missing British module.
Since Christmas attempts to communicate with the tiny lander through NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter and radio telescopes on Earth have been unsuccessful. However, the team remained hopeful that the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) receivers on Mars Express, specifically designed and fully compatibility tested, would be able to reach the Beagle 2 today.
At a press conference held this afternoon the Head of the Science at Esa David Southwood said that although no signals had been received from the surface of Mars it was not the end of the story.
The chief scientist on the Beagle 2 project, Professor Colin Pillinger, pledged that though the team was disappointed, they would "play to the final whistle".
Further attempts to search for any signal from Beagle will be made by Mars Express as it continues with its mission to map the planet's surface and sub-surface features.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
05 January 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.
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.
24 May 2004
Organisational problems dogged Beagle 2 failure: report
The failure of the UK-led Beagle 2 mission to Mars was largely due to organisational problems, according to a report. The European Space Agency (ESA) said that there was "no single technical failure or shortcoming" unambiguously responsible, but a few "credible causes" for Beagle 2’s loss were highlighted.
Organisational problems dogged Beagle 2 failure: report
The failure of the UK-led Beagle 2 mission to Mars was largely due to organisational problems, according to a report. The European Space Agency (ESA) said that there was "no single technical failure or shortcoming" unambiguously responsible, but a few "credible causes" for Beagle 2’s loss were highlighted.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry in the southeast at first otherwise widespread light rain or drizzle for most. It will turn mostly dry towards dawn, although a few patches of light rain or drizzle continuing, mainly in the southwest. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
