Missing Mars probe Beagle 2 found on Mars after 11 years

A British-built space probe Beagle 2 has been found on the surface of Mars, 11 years after it was thought that it was lost on Mars.

It was discovered in the high-resolution images taken by HiRISE camera mounted on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO).

Thus, its discovery has ended the decade long mystery of what happened to the mission since 2003.

After the discovery, the Royal Society has announced an award in commemoration of Prof Colin Pillinger (died in 2014) who was Principal Investigator of Beagle2 probe.

About Beagle2:

• Beagle2 was released to its landing trajectory from its mother craft- European Space Agency’s Mars Express (MEx) orbiter on 19 December 2003.

• After its release, it was due to land six days later on Mars surface using parachutes and airbags.

• But nothing was heard from probe’s radio contact after its scheduled touchdown.

• It was assumed by many scientists that it had been destroyed in a high-velocity impact during landing.

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