Identification of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars.

Autor:	Bridges JC; Leicester Institute for Space and Earth Observation, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK., Clemmet J; Airbus, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2AS, UK., Croon M; Citizen Scientist., Sims MR; Leicester Institute for Space and Earth Observation, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK., Pullan D; Leicester Institute for Space and Earth Observation, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK., Muller JP; Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Department of Space and Climate Physics, University College London, Holmbury St Mary RH5 6NT, UK., Tao Y; Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Department of Space and Climate Physics, University College London, Holmbury St Mary RH5 6NT, UK., Xiong S; Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Department of Space and Climate Physics, University College London, Holmbury St Mary RH5 6NT, UK., Putri AR; Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Department of Space and Climate Physics, University College London, Holmbury St Mary RH5 6NT, UK., Parker T; Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA., Turner SMR; Leicester Institute for Space and Earth Observation, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK., Pillinger JM; School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Royal Society open science [R Soc Open Sci] 2017 Oct 11; Vol. 4 (10), pp. 170785. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Oct 11 (Print Publication: 2017).
DOI:	10.1098/rsos.170785
Abstrakt:	The 2003 Beagle 2 Mars lander has been identified in Isidis Planitia at 90.43° E, 11.53° N, close to the predicted target of 90.50° E, 11.53° N. Beagle 2 was an exobiology lander designed to look for isotopic and compositional signs of life on Mars, as part of the European Space Agency Mars Express (MEX) mission. The 2004 recalculation of the original landing ellipse from a 3-sigma major axis from 174 km to 57 km, and the acquisition of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) imagery at 30 cm per pixel across the target region, led to the initial identification of the lander in 2014. Following this, more HiRISE images, giving a total of 15, including red and blue-green colours, were obtained over the area of interest and searched, which allowed sub-pixel imaging using super high-resolution techniques. The size (approx. 1.5 m), distinctive multilobed shape, high reflectivity relative to the local terrain, specular reflections, and location close to the centre of the planned landing ellipse led to the identification of the Beagle 2 lander. The shape of the imaged lander, although to some extent masked by the specular reflections in the various images, is consistent with deployment of the lander lid and then some or all solar panels. Failure to fully deploy the panels-which may have been caused by damage during landing-would have prohibited communication between the lander and MEX and commencement of science operations. This implies that the main part of the entry, descent and landing sequence, the ejection from MEX, atmospheric entry and parachute deployment, and landing worked as planned with perhaps only the final full panel deployment failing. Competing Interests: We have no competing interests.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
Externí odkaz:	Zobrazit plný text záznamu