Mars Express attempts to 'talk' to Beagle 2 -- press briefing (Forwarded)

European Space Agency
Press Release No. 1-2004
Paris, France 6 January 2004

Mars Express attempts to 'talk' to Beagle 2 -- press briefing

As of Wednesday 7 January 2004, and for the following three days, ESA's Mars
Express orbiter will be as little as 315 kilometres above the landing area of
the still-silent Beagle 2.

Since Christmas attempts to communicate with the tiny lander through NASA's Mars
Odyssey orbiter and radio telescopes on Earth have been unsuccessful. However,
Mars Express and Beagle 2 are the only systems tested end-to-end, giving ESA
more confidence of establishing contact with the lander in the coming days.

The Ultra High Frequency (UHF) receivers on Mars Express are ready to
communicate with Beagle 2. On 7 January, at precisely 13:15 CET [1215 UTC],
ESA's Mars Express orbiter will be in both an ideal flight path and an ideal
communication configuration, right over the Beagle 2 landing area, at about 86
degrees, allowing ground controllers at ESA's European Space Operations Centre
(ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, to catch the slightest beep from the Martian surface.

The results of this first search attempt will be announced at a press briefing
at ESA/ESOC by David Southwood, Director of Science, Rudolf Schmidt, Mars
Express Project Manager, and Michael McKay, Deputy Flight Director, starting at
16:00 CET [1500 UTC].

A videoconference will link ESOC with ESA Headquarters in Paris (France),
ESA/ESTEC in Noordwijk (Netherlands) and ESA/ESRIN in Frascati (Italy).

Media representatives wishing to attend are asked to complete the attached reply
form and fax it to the Communication Office at the establishment of their choice.


Press Programme and Reply Form

Event at ESA/ESOC

Robert-Bosch-Str. 5 - Darmstadt (D)
Wednesday 7 January 2004 – 15:30-17:30 CET

15:30 Opening of doors

16:00 Press briefing with David Southwood, Rudolf Schmidt, Michael McKay

17:00 Questions and answers

17:30 End of event

Possibility for individual interviews as of 17:30 CET at ESOC. Opening times at
other establishments are indicated below. Please specify the establishment of
your choice on the form below. [NOTE: Not attached. - A.Y.]

Related links

* Europe goes to Mars
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/index.html
* Mars Express mission facts
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Exp...U55V9ED_0.html
* Beagle 2 lander homepage
http://www.beagle2.com

IMAGE CAPTION:
[http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMU..._index_1.html]
Artist inpression of Mars Express orbiter making a pass over the Martian surface
at a lower point in its orbit.