ESA title

The mission

Since beginning science operations in 2004, Mars Express has provided breathtaking views of Mars in three dimensions. It has provided the most complete map of the chemical composition of the atmosphere, studied Mars’s innermost moon Phobos in unprecedented detail, and traced the history of water across the globe, demonstrating that Mars once harboured environmental conditions that may have been suitable for life.

 

  • Launch date: 2 June 2003
  • Arrival at Mars: December 2003
  • Status: In operation
  • Targets: Mars's atmosphere, surface and subsurface; Mars's moons Phobos and Deimos
Mars Express
The Mars Express spacecraft in orbit around Mars
Science & Exploration

Mars Express confirms methane in the Martian atmosphere

30/03/2004 13114 views 28 likes
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Science & Exploration

World's largest postcard?

29/03/2004 7991 views 38 likes
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HRSC 3D image of Ascraeus Mons
Science & Exploration

Ascraeus Mons in 3D

22/03/2004 3460 views 5 likes
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OMEGA view of Martian south pole
Science & Exploration

Water at Martian south pole

17/03/2004 22437 views 55 likes
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Hecates Tholus volcano in 3D and in colour
Science & Exploration

Hecates Tholus volcano in 3D

01/03/2004 4261 views 5 likes
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Configuration of the ExoMars rover
Science & Exploration

ESA prepares for next missions to Mars

25/02/2004 463 views 0 likes
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Mars Express in the shadow of Mars
Science & Exploration

Making light work of the dark

24/02/2004 2705 views 4 likes
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Frozen water and carbon dioxide over Martian poles
Science & Exploration

What do the colours mean?

18/02/2004 2709 views 1 likes
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Kasei Vallis
Science & Exploration

Kasei Vallis

18/02/2004 2481 views 4 likes
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The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC)
Science & Exploration

Behind the lens...

13/02/2004 4608 views 15 likes
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Crater Gusev - HRSC image 16 January 2004
Science & Exploration

International, interplanetary and no interference! Mars Exp…

12/02/2004 1591 views 1 likes
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Detail of the complex caldera of Olympus Mons
Science & Exploration

Olympus Mons in close-up

12/02/2004 1801 views 4 likes
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Artist's impression of Beagle 2 on Martian surface
Science & Exploration

UK and ESA announce Beagle 2 inquiry

11/02/2004 3137 views 0 likes
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Detail of the complex caldera of Olympus Mons
Science & Exploration

Olympus Mons - the caldera in close-up

11/02/2004 55297 views 150 likes
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Mars Express in precise pointing manoeuvre
Science & Exploration

What stops Mars Express getting lost in space?

29/01/2004 899 views 0 likes
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OMEGA image of the southern polar cap of Mars 18 January
Science & Exploration

Mars Express sees its first water – scientific results

23/01/2004 1366 views 1 likes
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Picture taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) onboard ESA's Mars Express orbiter on 14 January 2004
Science & Exploration

South of Valles Marineris

23/01/2004 1282 views 0 likes
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Mars Express HRSC image 14 January 2004
Science & Exploration

First spectacular results from Mars Express

19/01/2004 5082 views 4 likes
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Gusev Crater
Science & Exploration

Joining forces around Mars

16/01/2004 987 views 0 likes
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Valley networks suggest that rivers once flowed on Mars
Science & Exploration

Science from orbit

15/01/2004 633 views 0 likes
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Artist's impression of Mars
Science & Exploration

ESA’s Martian weather report

14/01/2004 2416 views 2 likes
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The ESOC control room
Science & Exploration

Mars Express: no signal from Beagle 2 so far

07/01/2004 933 views 0 likes
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Mars Express making a close pass over Mars.
Science & Exploration

Mars Express attempts to ‘talk’ to Beagle 2 – press briefing

06/01/2004 761 views 0 likes
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Mars Express orbiter's main engine firing for orbital adjustment
Science & Exploration

Closing in on the Red Planet: Mars Express orbit lowered

04/01/2004 2203 views 2 likes
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ESA's Mars Express from equatorial to polar orbit on 30 December
Science & Exploration

Mars Express scheduled orbit change

30/12/2003 4668 views 1 likes
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Science & Exploration

Scientists and engineers waiting to hear from Beagle 2

27/12/2003 424 views 0 likes
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Mars Express orbiter
Science & Exploration

Mars Express orbiting precisely and safely

27/12/2003 1432 views 0 likes
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Jodrell Bank radio telescope
Science & Exploration

Christmas vigil: listening for Beagle 2

26/12/2003 881 views 1 likes
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Mars Express orbiter's main engine is firing for Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI).
Science & Exploration

Merry Christmas from Mars:Mars Express enters orbit around …

25/12/2003 5453 views 16 likes
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Advent calendar Mars Express
Science & Exploration

Another message from Mars...

24/12/2003 338 views 0 likes
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Michael McKay at his console
Science & Exploration

Beagle is GO for separation

22/12/2003 1552 views 0 likes
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Farewell, Beagle 2
Science & Exploration

Mars Express releases Beagle 2

19/12/2003 2072 views 3 likes
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Science & Exploration

Mars Express updates

19/12/2003 385 views 1 likes
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Mars Express in precise pointing manoeuvre
Science & Exploration

Preparing for Beagle separation

18/12/2003 454 views 0 likes
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Wright brothers' first flight
Science & Exploration

On the centenary of powered flight...

17/12/2003 1079 views 0 likes
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The Valles Marineris hemisphere of Mars
Science & Exploration

Christmas on Mars: be there with ESA

15/12/2003 2337 views 0 likes
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The Mars Express spacecraft in orbit around Mars
Science & Exploration

Mars is just around the corner

09/12/2003 1408 views 0 likes
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Beagle 2 separation
Science & Exploration

Crucial moments on the way to Mars

03/12/2003 1705 views 3 likes
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Mars from 5.5 million km, taken 1 December
Science & Exploration

Planet Mars from 5.5 million kilometres

03/12/2003 3249 views 0 likes
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Artist's impression of Beagle 2 lander
Science & Exploration

'Europe lands on Mars' - Media event at ESA/ESOC

25/11/2003 1578 views 0 likes
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Mars Express orbiter (artist impression)
Science & Exploration

Going to Mars for Christmas

13/11/2003 1422 views 0 likes
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Artist's impression of Beagle 2 on Martian surface
Science & Exploration

Are you ready for Mars?

06/11/2003 1862 views 0 likes
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Science & Exploration

Europe goes to Mars

08/10/2003 5466 views 11 likes
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Science & Exploration

Close encounters with Mars

25/08/2003 1651 views 0 likes
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Artist's impression of Mars
Science & Exploration

Holiday weather on Mars

13/08/2003 3881 views 1 likes
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Mars Express Earth-Moon image
Science & Exploration

Farewell to the Earth and the Moon - ESA's Mars Express suc…

17/07/2003 1363 views 0 likes
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The Beagle 2 lander
Science & Exploration

Beagle 2 tests successfully completed

08/07/2003 923 views 1 likes
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Mars Express artist's view
Science & Exploration

ESA’s Mars Express first check-out nearly complete

02/07/2003 2041 views 1 likes
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Mars Express design competition
Science & Exploration

"Picture Mars" second round winners

16/06/2003 517 views 0 likes
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Beagle 2 lander leaving the Mars Express orbiter
Science & Exploration

Clamps away, Mars Express eases its grip on its lander

05/06/2003 969 views 0 likes
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