From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Thu Dec 25 2003 - 10:55:33 PST
This article is also available on the web at:
http://www.spacetoday.net/getsummary.php?id=2091 .
No contact yet with Beagle 2
============================================================
Posted: Thu, Dec 25 9:21 AM ET (1421 GMT)
The British-built Beagle 2 spacecraft landed on the surface
of Mars early Thursday, but ground controllers have yet to
establish communications with the spacecraft. The spacecraft
was scheduled to land in the Isidis Planitia region of Mars
at 9:52 pm EST Wednesday (0252 GMT Thursday). The first
opportunity to receive signals from the spacecraft came
three hours later, when NASA’s Mars Odyssey spacecraft flew
over the landing site; the NASA spacecraft failed to pick up
any signals from Beagle 2. Project officials said the lack
of communications, while a concern, does not mean the
mission has failed: they point out alternative explanations
such as a landing outside the expected area or an antenna
not pointing in the proper direction. Another opportunity to
detect signals from Beagle 2 will come Thursday evening at
about 5 pm EST (2200 GMT), using the Jodrell Bank radio
telescope in the UK.
Related Links:
--------------
BBC article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3344693.stm
New Scientist article:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994514
AFP article:
http://www.marsdaily.com/2003/031225112456.yqa7ciz4.html
Los Angeles Times article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-beagle25dec25,0,6317931.story?coll=la-news-science
News from Beagle 2 web site:
http://www.beagle2.com/news/index.htm
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