N° 81–2003: Mars is just around the corner

At 9:31 CET, ESA's ground control team at Darmstadt (Germany) will send the command for the Beagle 2 lander to separate from Mars Express. A pyrotechnic device will be fired to slowly release a loaded spring, which will gently push Beagle 2 away from the mother spacecraft.

Data on the spacecraft's position and speed will be used by mission engineers to assess whether the lander was successfully released. In addition, the onboard Visual Monitoring Camera (VMC) should provide an image showing the lander slowly moving away. The image is expected to be available mid-afternoon.

Beagle 2 will then continue its journey towards the surface of Mars, where it is expected to land on 25 December, early in the morning. At the same time, the Mars Express orbiter should be manoeuvring to enter into orbit around Mars.

In view of the complexity of this operation, the Mars Express control team has been trained to deal with the eventuality that separation might not be achieved at the first attempt. If that did turn out to be the case, there is a series of procedures that has already been set up and tested for completing the manoeuvre successfully within the subsequent 40 hours.

The "separation" event can be followed live at ESA/ESOC on Friday 19 December from 8:30 to 15:00. A videoconference will link the control centre at Darmstadt with ESA Headquarters in Paris (F), and ESA/ESRIN at Frascati (I). Media wishing to attend are asked to complete the attached reply form and fax it to the Communication Office at the establishment of their choice.

Every day throughout December, you can follow the countdown to arrival at Mars at:

http://mars.esa.int

Here you will find live streaming of key events, news, features, images, videos and more.

For further information, please contact:

ESA Media Relations Service

Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155

Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

 

PRESS PROGRAMME at ESA/ESOC

Mars is just around the corner

Opening of doors: 7:00

Possibility of filming in the Main Control Room until 8:00

8:30-9:00 - Local programme at ESA/ESOC

9:00-9:35 - ESA TV programme (9:31 CET Beagle-2 ejection)

9:35-10:15 - Local programme at ESA/ESOC

10:15-11:30 - Coffee break and interview opportunities

11:30-11:50 - ESA TV programme (11:31 CET Beagle-2 ejection results)

12:00-12:30 - Questions & Answers

The picture of Beagle-2 being released will only be available in the afternoon around 15:00 CET.

For other ESA establishments, opening hours are specified on the reply form.

 

"Mars is just around the corner"

ESA/ESOC Media Event - Robert-Bosch-Str. 5 - Darmstadt (G)

Friday 19 December 2003 – 7:00-15:00

First Name: ___________________ Surname: ____________________

Media:_______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Tel: _________________________ Fax:__________________________

Mobile: ______________________ E-mail: ______________________

[ ] I will be attending the media event at the following establishment

[ ] I will not be attending

[ ]Germany

Location: ESA/ESOC Address: Robert-Bosch-Strasse 5, Darmstadt

Opening hours: 07:00 - 15:00

Contact: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin, Tel: +49.6151.90.2696 - Fax: +49.6151.90.2961

[ ]France

Location: ESA HQ

Address: 8/10, rue Mario Nikis, Paris - Salle 137 Opening hours: 08:30 - 14:00

Contact: Anne-Marie Rémondin, Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155 - Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

[ ]Italy

Location: ESA/ESRIN

Address: Via Galileo Galilei, Frascati, Ada Byron Room (ex-cinema)

Opening hours: 08:30 – 14:00

Contact: Franca Morgia, Tel: +39.06.9418.0951 - Fax: +39.06.9418.0952

 

For further information:

ESA Media Relations Service

Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155

Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690