Mars Express
A european voyage
In 2003, the ESA launched the Mars Express craft
consisting of the Mars Express Orbiter
and the lander Beagle 2.
Launch took place on a Soyuz/Fregat
from Baikonur Cosmodrome June 2, 2003.
The voyage took ½ year...
Attempts to contact the Beagle 2 failed
and it was declared lost in early February 2004.
But the Orbiter was a succes and it is still exploring Mars
hundreds of kilometers above the surface.
Mars Express Orbiter
Esa: Mars Express
European Space Agency
www.esa.int