Beagle 3

Diagram of the proposed Beagle 3

Beagle 3[1][2] (also called Beagle 2: Evolution) is a proposed Mars lander mission to search for life on Mars, past or present.Beagle 3 is the proposed successor to the failed British Beagle 2 Mars lander. Beagle 3 was promoted by Professor Colin Pillinger, lead scientist on the Beagle 2. EADS Astrium also played a part in funding and early development of the project. Pillinger dreamed of launching up to two landing craft from an orbiter in 2009 as part of the European Space Agency's Aurora Programme. The putative Beagle 3 would be named after the ship HMS Beagle that took Charles Darwin around the world.

After the Beagle 3 project was rejected by ESA in 2004, Pillinger proposed to the NASA to hitch a ride on the Mars Science Laboratory Mars lander,[3][4] but the proposal was not accepted.

One of the goals of Beagle 3 was to support the ESA Aurora programme if chosen.[5]

Proposed payload

Impact of Beagle 2 discovery

Beagle 2 was found in 2015, which overturned a previous theory that it hit thin air and collided with Mars at high speed, however it was not known for sure because it did not transmit any data during descent.[6] When the Beagle 2 leader tried to raise money for Beagle 3, the EDL system used on Beagle 2 was an unknown.[6] However, after its discovery there was realization that the EDL must have worked as it was found on the surface with several panels deployed, even though it did not transmit.[6]

One of the goals of Beagle 3 was to use lessons learned from Beagle 2 to improve the spacecraft, and also take advantage of newer technology.[5] However, since it was not clear what happened to Beagle 2, it was not obvious what should be changed.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Scientists lift veil on Beagle 3
  2. ↑ Beagle 3 To The Moon? No Chance.
  3. ↑ Rincon, Paul (26 July 2004). "'Beagle 3' looks to American ride". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  4. ↑ Highfield, Roger (25 Aug 2004). "Beagle 'may go to Mars on Nasa's flying bedstead'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  5. 1 2 3
  6. 1 2 3

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