Beagle2 separated from its mothership the Mars Express this morning exactly as planned. Kudos to the Europeans
Beagle2 is now heading for Mars at about 14,000 mph (5.4 kilometers a second!), and on Christmas day (just before 03:00 GMT), Beagle2 will land safely on Mars if all goes according to plan. Following the proved American landing system, Beagle2 will slow down when it first hits Mars' atmosphere (protected by it's aeroshell). Two parachutes will then further slow it down as it falls, airbags will inflate around the lander, and it will bounce (they estimate 12 bounces) to a stop on the surface of Mars. The airbags will be cut off, the lander will drop to the surface and unfold the solar panels - and then it's battery charging time.
Diagram of the entry, descent and landing sequence from the Beagle2 website gallery.
Really fascinating is the Mole:)
Comms between Earth and Beagle2 are tricky - Beagle2 is too small to communicate with Earth directly, so it has to relay via Mars Express, or NASA's Odyssey orbiter if Mars Express isn't in direct line or unavailable.
Beagle2 comms are supported by Linux:-)
Beagle2 is now heading for Mars at about 14,000 mph (5.4 kilometers a second!), and on Christmas day (just before 03:00 GMT), Beagle2 will land safely on Mars if all goes according to plan. Following the proved American landing system, Beagle2 will slow down when it first hits Mars' atmosphere (protected by it's aeroshell). Two parachutes will then further slow it down as it falls, airbags will inflate around the lander, and it will bounce (they estimate 12 bounces) to a stop on the surface of Mars. The airbags will be cut off, the lander will drop to the surface and unfold the solar panels - and then it's battery charging time.
Diagram of the entry, descent and landing sequence from the Beagle2 website gallery.
Really fascinating is the Mole
Comms between Earth and Beagle2 are tricky - Beagle2 is too small to communicate with Earth directly, so it has to relay via Mars Express, or NASA's Odyssey orbiter if Mars Express isn't in direct line or unavailable.
Beagle2 comms are supported by Linux
; "hannah grace mcphail")
; "Beach Run")
; "hannah grace mcphail")
; "phoenix-mars-lander.jpg")
; "here-we-go-again-small.JPG")
; "seti-radio-telescope.jpg")
; "proudly South African")
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