Mission to Mars
UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College
Beagle 2 was meant to be Britain's first interplanetary spacecraft. Named after Darwin's ship, the HMS Beagle, the craft hitched a ride with NASA's Mars Express mission which reached the red planet towards the end of 2003.
A large team worked together to create Beagle 2 including scientists from University College London. They created a Mars lander with everything it needs to analyse the atmosphere, soil and rocks on the planet. The lander was meant to look out for signs of life.
Solar panels should have opened out after landing and provided the power for a robotic arms, the scientific instruments and communications of the findings back to Earth.
The role of the group at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory was to lead the team providing Beagle 2's 'eyes' - taking pictures from the surface with a pair of digital cameras.
The stereo camera system developed at UCL is highly miniaturised and internationally competitive and has been proposed for future Mars missions including ESA's Exomars rover.
Beagle 2 was meant to land on Mars on the 25th December 2003. Sadly no contact was made with Beagle 2 after it started its descent to the surface of the planet.
Submitted by: Checked by Andrew Coates, 26 August 2003
