No Mars signal from Beagle probe
 

BBC News
Last Updated: Thursday, 25 December, 2003, 12:27 GMT

Scientists have failed to pick up an expected signal from British-built spacecraft Beagle 2 telling them it has landed safely on Mars.

The £35m probe should have landed at 0254 GMT on Christmas Day after a 400 million kilometre, six-month flight. Nasa's Mars Odyssey orbiter has since flown over its landing site but failed to detect the expected call sign. Lead scientist Professor Colin Pillinger insisted that "it's not the end of the world".

The giant Jodrell Bank telescope, in Cheshire, UK, will come on line at about 2200 GMT to listen for signals. Scientists are confident that sweep will pick up a signal from Beagle 2 - if it has made it to the planet surface in one piece and is functioning as expected.

If that option fails, the Nasa spacecraft will have a daily chance to pick up the signal until 3 January, when Europe's Mars Express craft - the mother ship now orbiting the planet - begins its mission. However, if nothing has been received by the end of 26 December, hopes for Beagle 2 will start to fade.

:(

Oh no!

It looks like the "Greys" may have bagged the Beagle! The Beagle was carrying instruments designed to test for Martian life! It all starts to make sense!

What a terrible disappointment. While Hope was the last to leave Pandora's box, things don't look good at all.

jseal---FYI.We spent most of Christmas Day at one of my daughters houses.She had recorded holiday music on.Since then,
I have listened,to practicaly every,networks news.They have all
reported,that NO signal,has been recieved,but are still trying!
Irish

Irish,

Alas, the Great Galactic Ghoul, who has feasted on other Mars exploratory vehicles, seems to have struck again. While the Mars Express will, no doubt, return valuable data, the Beagle’s data will be missed.

Most regrettable.

That’s almost like saying I’ll keep the doe nut, you can have the hole. :(

PantyFanatic,

Almost.