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âBeagle 2â nearing Mars, Xmas landing
Hat tip: Drudge. Edited for brevity.Beagle 2 has successfully separated from its "mothership" for the final leg of the journey to Mars. Mike McKay, flight operations director at the European Space Operations Centre (Esoc) at Darmstadt, Germany, confirmed the separation just after 1110 GMT. The tiny probe will now glide the last three million kilometres to the Red Planet alone; silent, powerless and in hibernation mode. The lander is expected to touch down on Mars on Christmas Day, to search for signs of life, past or present. After flying solo for almost six days, the lander should reach the edge of the Martian atmosphere in the early hours of Christmas Day. It will plunge towards the crater of Isidis Planitia slowed by a heat-resistant shield and parachutes, and cushioned by airbags. Meanwhile, Mars Express will fire its rockets to blast itself into orbit around the Red Planet. It will then begin its lifeâs work - searching for water, ice and key chemicals buried under the Martian surface. ...and donât forget oil! Itâs all about oil! Oh, sorry, thatâs only for American ventures. Posted by: Dar 2003-12-19 |
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