Beagle2: The Lost Mars Probe Found Intact
Discovery and Significance
After a decade-long search, high-resolution images captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed the long-lost Beagle2 probe just kilometers from its intended landing site. Remarkably, the probe appears intact, providing valuable insights into the mysterious circumstances surrounding its disappearance.
The Beagle2 Mission
Launched in 2003 as part of the European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission, Beagle2 was a groundbreaking endeavor that aimed to explore the surface and atmosphere of Mars. The probe was designed to land on Christmas Day, but contact was lost shortly after its deployment from the Mars Express orbiter.
The Search and Discovery
Despite extensive search efforts, Beagle2’s whereabouts remained unknown until the recent discovery. Scientists meticulously analyzed high-resolution images taken by the HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, leading to the identification of the long-lost probe within its targeted landing zone.
Intact Condition and Clues to Failure
The discovery of Beagle2 in one piece has confounded scientists who had previously speculated that a rough landing may have destroyed the probe. However, the images show that the “petals” containing solar panels failed to deploy properly, trapping the radio frequency antenna beneath them and preventing communication with Earth.
Bad Luck or Design Flaw?
Mark Sims, Beagle2’s mission manager, believes that the failure was likely due to “sheer bad luck,” such as a heavy bounce distorting the structure or a punctured airbag hindering deployment. The precise cause remains speculative, but the intact condition of the probe suggests that it was not a catastrophic landing that doomed the mission.
Lessons Learned and Future Missions
Beagle2’s failure had a significant impact on future space missions, leading to reforms and improved communication protocols. Probes like the ExoMars rover, scheduled to land on Mars in 2019, are now equipped to make contact not only upon reaching the surface but also during their descent.
Context and Historical Significance
Beagle2 was the first fully European mission to another planet and one of the most cost-effective interplanetary missions ever undertaken. Its loss highlighted the challenges and risks associated with space exploration, but also demonstrated the resilience and determination of scientists to unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet.
Other Lost Probes on Mars
Beagle2 is not the only probe to have met an unfortunate fate on Mars. Prior to 2003, only three out of 11 previously launched probes had successfully established contact with Earth, underscoring the harsh and unforgiving conditions that spacecraft must endure on the Martian frontier.