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ESA to Deploy Mars Express Radar

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the can't-get-enough-of-that-new-mars-topic-icon dept.

fenimor writes "Mars Express was launched on 2 June 2003 and reached the planet on 25 December 2003. After eight months of intensive computer simulations and technical investigations the European Space Agency has given the green light for the MARSIS radar on board Mars Express spacecraft to be deployed during the first week of May. Assuming that this operation is successful, the radar will finally start the search for subsurface water reservoirs and studies of the Martian ionosphere."

4 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. Antenna Boom by teiresias · · Score: 5, Interesting

    After eight months of intensive computer simulations and technical investigations

    if people are wondering why the decision took so long, besides commanding something on Mars, would be the loss or impairment of the antenna boom. Of course they have safeguards and workarounds but if that fails MARSIS is dead in the water. Good luck ESA.

    --
    -Teiresias
    1. Re:Antenna Boom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      When this problem originally surfaced I heard a rumour (from a source at ESA mission control) that the real reason that NASA flagged a problem was to delay the antenna deployment so that Mars Express could better support the communications required for the operation of the two NASA Mars Rovers.

      Now I'm not sure if this was really the case, but it was a bit suspicious that the problem was found so late and at just the convenient time.

  2. Re:This is why we need a manned mission! by Fallus+Shempus · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Yeah, but men don't work to well when bits fall off either

  3. I don't understand by Danathar · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If they were unsure if they were going to use it, why did they build it and attach it to the spacecraft to begin with?