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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Mars Express Radar To Be Deployed In May

May 02, 2005
Following green light for the deployment of ESA's Mars Express radar, given in February this year, the radar booms are now planned to be deployed in the first half of May.

Once the deployment is successful, the Mars Express MARSIS radar will enable the first European spacecraft to orbit Mars to complement its study of the planet's atmosphere and surface.

MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument) is the first antenna of its kind which was also designed to actually look below the surface of Mars at the different layers of material, most notably for water.

More here from Mars Daily.com: www.marsdaily.com/news/marsexpress-05l.html

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This is a great instrument to search for water and little critters that may be swimming in it. Can't wait!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Wading in Martian Water

Summary (May 02, 2005):

The European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft has been orbiting Mars for over a year. While the high resolution images of the planet's many craters, volcanoes, and other features get the most notice, the spacecraft's seven instruments have also gathered large amounts of data about the planet's atmosphere, geology, and chemistry. Bernard Foing, ESA Chief Scientist, provides on overview of the most notable discoveries made during Europe's first trip to the Red Planet. In part one of this overview, Foing wades through the evidence for liquid water on Mars.

The entire story here at Astrobiology Magazine: www.astrobio.net/news/article1544.html

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It's so evident...