WA: New Norcia team hopes to hear from Beagle

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-2003
WA: New Norcia team hopes to hear from Beagle

SYDNEY, Dec 25 AAP - Scientists at a deep space ground station near Perth are hoping
to hear the strains of Britpop tomorrow morning signalling the safe arrival of Mars lander
Beagle 2 on the red planet.

After touching down on Mars, Beagle 2 was to have made contact today by beaming back
to earth a nine-note tune by British group Blur. But it has not been heard from.

The New Norcia station near Perth will play a key role in the European Space Agency's
mission to search for life on the planet, picking up signals from Beagle 2's mother ship
Mars Express for relaying to mission control in Germany.

Today's lack of a signal from the lander was a disappointment to the ten-strong team
at the station, 150km north of Perth, who are now hoping Beagle 2 will make contact tomorrow
morning.

Station manager Roly Morin said there was a 20 minute window each day for earth stations
to receive signals from Beagle 2.

He said there were many factors that could have prevented the lander from making contact.

"It could be any number of things. The temperature on Mars might not have been what
was predicted," Mr Morin said.

"Beagle is good for two years so we'll keep trying."

Mr Morin said it was important to remember that the main part of the mission, putting
Mars Express into orbit, had been a success today.

AAP kd/ldj

KEYWORD: EU MARS AUST

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