Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jun 13, 2006 8:59:52 GMT -6
UK's Bridget to explore Mars
Britain announced today that it will lead a new assault on Mars using a rover called Bridget. They hope to find martian life using the intelligent robot buggy nicknamed after screen legend Brigitte Bardot.
The Government revealed major funding for a European mission called ExoMars will launch in 2011 and is expected to cost between 600 million and 800 million euros.
Britain pledged £1.7 million pounds towards research and development for the follow-up to the ill-fated Beagle 2 which is believed to have crashed on the Red Planet on Christmas Day, 2003.
After launch on a Soyuz or Ariane rocket, ExoMars will take the long route to Mars with a two-year journey through the solar system. It is making its extended journey to avoid the planet's dust storm season. Missions to Mars usually get there in around six or seven months.
While a telecoms satellite goes into orbit around the red planet, the rover will land using parachutes plus a new form of airbags that instantly deflate rather than bounce.
More here: skymania.blogspot.com/2006/06/uks-bridget-to-explore-mars.html