Beagle 2 Failure Theories

Dan East writes "New Scientist has an article discussing the failure of ESA's Beagle 2 Lander. Theories as to why the landing failed include thinner than expected upper atmosphere, extreme atmospheric temperature fluctuations, and possible physical damage to Beagle 2 seen in an image acquired immediately after it separated from Mars Express. Recent data acquired by Mars Express, as well as NASA's Mars Rovers, are helping direct investigations into the failure. So far only around half of Beagle 2's landing ellipse has been imaged in an attempt to locate remnants of the lander. USA Today is also running an AP story on these latest theories."

Comments

Money

[Flozzin]

The story says that the American missions landed without a probablem. That was due to their, "robust" airbags. We also spent over twice as much as they did. So when we encounter things we do not except everything still goes ok. When it comes to space flight, I don't mind spending alot of money, as long as that means everything will work out, or close to it. Instead of spending the extra money on the project( Europe ), they decided to waste 370 million, and have nothing to show for it except failure.