Still no contact with Beagle 2
Posted: Sat, Jan 10, 2004, 9:52 AM ET (1452 GMT)
The British-built Beagle 2 Mars lander has yet to communicate with controllers, more than two weeks after landings, making it increasingly likely that the mission has failed. ESA's Mars Express orbiter has passed over the landing site for three straight days but, as of Friday, had yet to detect any signals from the lander. Past efforts to contact the lander through NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft and groundbased systems also failed. Mars Express will make a few other passes over the site, including one on Saturday, and Beagle 2 is designed to shift into another communications mode if contact is not established by early February. The Financial Times reported Saturday that, regardless of the outcome of the mission, Beagle 2 project scientist Colin Pillinger would urge the UK to fund a similar mission for launch in 2007.
The British-built Beagle 2 Mars lander has yet to communicate with controllers, more than two weeks after landings, making it increasingly likely that the mission has failed. ESA's Mars Express orbiter has passed over the landing site for three straight days but, as of Friday, had yet to detect any signals from the lander. Past efforts to contact the lander through NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft and groundbased systems also failed. Mars Express will make a few other passes over the site, including one on Saturday, and Beagle 2 is designed to shift into another communications mode if contact is not established by early February. The Financial Times reported Saturday that, regardless of the outcome of the mission, Beagle 2 project scientist Colin Pillinger would urge the UK to fund a similar mission for launch in 2007.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, November 5
Marles claims JP9102 axing is 'change of direction, not cancellation', as industry picks up the pieces
Defence Connect (Australia) — 5:55 am ET (1055 GMT) SpaceX Cargo Dragon Heads To Space Station
Aviation Week — 5:52 am ET (1052 GMT) Centaur upper stage installation recognizes trailblazing space program
US Space Force — 5:50 am ET (1050 GMT) Fifth time’s a charm as H3 rocket puts defense satellite in orbit
Japan Times — 5:47 am ET (1047 GMT) Why it costs India so little to reach the Moon and Mars
BBC — 5:46 am ET (1046 GMT) |
