Introduction
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Introduction to Beagle 2
Professor Mark Sims
Space Research Centre
University of Leicester
On Behalf of the Beagle 2 Consortium
Some information contained within this presentation is Confidential & Proprietary to the Beagle 2 Consortium
It may not be copied whole or in part except with prior written permission from the Beagle 2 Mission Manager and Dr. Judith Pillinger (Open University)
Introduction
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Beagle 2 Project
Timeline:
Proposal 1998
 Build Phase 1999-2003
 Mission Operations June 2003 to August 2004 including search and
internal investigation
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Mission:
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Part of ESA’s Mars Express Mission
First UK European Mars Lander
World-leading Science
Astrobiology and Geochemistry
UK built and led
International Participation to Build and Science
Introduction
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Beagle 2 Science
Unique Objectives (in 2003):
Detection of extinct and/or extant life (detection of organics*)
 Analysis of subsurface material and regime
 First attempt at in-situ radiometric dating of rocks on another planet*
*Recently achieved by NASA’s Curiosity Mission
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Science Programme:
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Geochemical, mineralogical and petrological analysis of selected rocks and “soils”
Chemical and physical analysis of the atmosphere
Local geomorphological classification of the landing site
Measurement of dynamic environmental processes
Astronomical observations of the Sun, bright stars and Phobos and Deimos
Introduction
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Beagle 2 Engineering
Beagle 2 Specification:
Mass – 72.7kg (~9kg for instruments)
 Lander 33.2kg, Entry Descent and Landing System 35.6kg, Mars
Express Interfaces 4.88kg
 Power - Battery (Lithium Ion, ~200Wh); Solar arrays (GaAs, 4 off)
 Thermal - Non RHU design; Solar Collector
 Operations - 180 Sols (primary); contact ~1 day (Odyssey) or <4 days
(MEX))
 Parachute, Airbag Based Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) System
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Aspects:
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Innovative Design
Small
High payload fraction
Highly integrated
No redundancy
Deployable instrument capability (via Robotic Arm)
0.66m
Introduction
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Entry, Descent and Landing
Original Image Courtesy
Martin Baker
Introduction
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Beagle 2 Mission
Beagle 2 Mission Details:
Landing Site Isidis Planitia 11.6°N 269.5°W (90.5°E)
 Flat Ancient Impact Basin just North of Equator
 Launch 2nd June 2003
 Ejected from Mars Express 19th December 2003 08:31
 Expected Entry Time into Mars Atmosphere: 25th December 2003
02:51:22
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Results:
No communication from Lander
 Presumed lost due to EDL or Lander Systems
Failure
 No data of EDL available as no EDL radio system
as no spacecraft available to receive signals
 Searched for using blind commanding and via
NASA imaging data
 ESA Inquiry
 Beagle 2 Internal Investigation
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Introduction
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Surface Operations: Deployed
Configuration (Nominal)
Size and Configuration:
Base Section external diameter:
660mm
 Base section depth: 80mm
 Base-Lid-Solar Panel Axis:
~1900mm
 Solar Panel-Lid-Solar Panel Axis:
~1600m
 Solar Panels: Pentagon Shaped:
~570mm across
 Offset Angle between panels and
base: 72°
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Introduction
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Pilot Chute
and Mortar
Probe (EDLS)
Parachute
Airbags
Rear Cover
Heat Shield
Size and Configuration:
Heat Shield Diameter: 934mm
 Heat Shield Height: ~225mm
 Rear Cover Diameter: ~400mm and
~900mm
 Airbags 3 off 1930mm long (when
inflated) three segments enclosing
lander
 Pilot chute remains attached to rear
cover
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Lander
Beagle 2 Images
Introduction
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All images courtesy Beagle 2
Beagle 2 Images
Introduction
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Picture of Beagle 2 being
ejected from Mars Express
19th December 2003
Images courtesy ESA