EU, scientists tout Mars mission despite Beagle doubts

Published: 27 December 2003 y., Saturday
The EU has hailed the Mars Express mission as a major achievement for Europe, downplaying disappointment over the failure to make contact with the Beagle probe on the Martian surface. Beagle lead scientist Professor Colin Pillinger said: "We will hang on testing and waiting and checking with Beagle 2 until Mars Express is able to look for us and that won't happen until January 4." Two attempts to locate the probe have failed. A giant telescope will try again Friday evening. Pillinger added: "It's like sending someone a love letter. You know they've got it, and you're waiting for their response." Unfortunately the Red Planet has a history of wrecking such love affairs. Out of 11 previous probes dropped on its surface, only three have survived. But even in the worst case scenario, Mars Express's ultra-sophisticated technology should still pick up vital clues as to whether life exists on the planet.
Šaltinis: euronews.net
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Global Health: Commission calls on EU to gear up on health actions

Today the European Commission adopted proposals to enhance the EU's role in global health. more »

New report by ECDC and WHO/Europe: tuberculosis rates and treatment remain a concern

Across the WHO European Region, 461 645 tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in 2008, representing about 6% of the TB cases reported to WHO worldwide. more »

New hope for patients needing donor organs

People needing liver transplants or other organ donations should face shorter waiting times after MEPs voted on Tuesday for measures to improve the supply, safety and quality of donated organs. more »

Better leaflets for prescription medicines

Do you remember everything the doctor said during your short encounter about the medicine prescribed for you? Probably not. more »

Avian Influenza: Highly pathogenic H5N1 virus confirmed in Romania

The European Commission will adopt today a decision confirming the risk areas set up by the Romanian authorities in relation to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard poultry farm located in the commune of Letea, in Tulcea county, at the Danube's delta close to the Ukrainian border. more »

IT for sustainable health care

With public healthcare systems under pressure from an ageing population, governments are increasingly looking to information technology to provide relief. more »

Protecting children's health in a changing environment

More than ever, children's health is at risk from a changing environment. more »

Results Profile: Russian Health

Russian men and women face far shorter life expectancies than people in developed countries - as much as 14 years shorter than their neighbors in Europe. more »

WHO mourns passing of Professor Ihsan Dogramaci

WHO was saddened by the death of Professor Ihsan Dogramaci, who will be remembered for his tireless efforts and accomplishments in public health care. He was the last living signatory of the WHO Constitution, signed in New York in July 1946. more »

Cambodia: Good Health Comes to Chakrey With a Smile

One-legged Nurse Pan Hean is a proud man. So are all the staff of Chakrey Health Center, which Pan Hean heads. The new health center opened three years ago with 10 patients a day coming for consultation. more »