Still No Contact from Beagle 2

Many of you have submitted this, so this will be a condensing of the relevant information. WebfishUK writes: "The BBC has just released this story which announces the failure of the latest and possibly best chance to contact the British built Mars probe, Beagle 2. Given that Mars Express was designed to communicate with Beagle (unlike the earlier attempts with NASA's Mars Odyssey), this may indicate that something catastrophic has happened to Beagle 2." From Bromrrrrr: "[The] ESA is reporting that the Mars Express, which everybody was hoping would be able to get through to the poor lost puppy, has failed its first attempt. 'We have not lost hope yet to contact Beagle 2, but we also know that it has landed on an unforgiving planet,' said David Southwood, ESA's Director of Science." and I-R-Baboon adds: "The Mars Express mothership from the EU passed 350 km over the intended landing site of the Beagle 2 hearing only silence. Although nothing was heard, hope has not been given up yet, as scientists will keep trying until February, with more passovers of the Beagle 2's landing site on January 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, and 14th." Additional updates can be obtained from the Beagle 2 homepage as well as from the ESA's homepage for the Mars Express. Here's hoping that the lander is only down, and not out.

Comments

Re:Let me condense the relevant info further

[oblivionboy]

But another way to look at Mars Express (even minus the Beagle) is as a successful cooperation between many different nations -- A skill the US sometimes does not appear to be able to foster amongst itself and it's so called "partners". And I think is loosing out because of it.

While the US may be happy that it's "won" the race (for what, we're not sure. Everyone loses when only half of the planned scientific packages show up to do some previously undone exploring), I look at the internation space station, and the shuttle program, and think: gee, it's sure great that Russia still has those Proton boosters and Soyouzs blasting off from Siberia there. Otherwise what would happen to those poor Americans up there? We can't all do it alone, and even if we could, it's always easier if there are others around to help us. Especially when it comes to space exploration.

Price Vs Performance

[visionsofmcskill]

Nasa Rover Missions : 400 Million a Piece
1 succesfully landed
2nd in route
Beagle / Mars Express : 345 Million
1 beagle missing In Action
Mars Express working and in orbit


Guess Research and Development Costs is actualy WORTHWHILE

Re:martians!

[Blakey Rat]

Who mods this crap as funny? Do you really think this is funny? Did you laugh at this comment even a little? Yeah, I thought not.

Re:Possibly should have been called Icarus :-(

[nickos]

We sure are, only some of us (Americans) are better at killing other people than others (Brits and all socialist Europeans in general). Face it schmucks, American aggression and blood lust backed by real crazy politicians and yes, increasing infringements on freedom, have no equal on this planet.

Re:Chalk one up to American quality!

[Scrameustache]

telephone (also invented here).

No, invented here (Canada).

Another thing to be proud of with respect to the US is that our citizens clearly do care about what happens in the rest of the world, as evidenced by our work as the global police.

"We bomb you because we care!"