Interpretation and Summary 1 Interpretation of Images and

Interpretation and Summary 1 Interpretation of Images and Summary Professor Mark Sims and Dr. Jim Clemmet 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)

Interpretation and Summary 2 Entry, Descent and Landing Original Image Courtesy Martin Baker

Interpretation and Summary 3 Why Do We Believe It Is Beagle 2? l l l l Number of discrete elements Expected sizes and shapes (and “height” for Lander) Expected “sequence” in terms of relative positions Expected dispersion (separation) Expected colour Expected place “Glint” effect on lander target, change with Sun angle

Interpretation and Summary 4 What Should One See? Lander √√ l Rear Cover and Pilot Chute √ l Parachute ? l Airbags ? ? (1 of 3? ) => Combination, Separation, etc. = Beagle 2 l Key: √√ very good evidence √ good evidence, ? reasonable/possible evidence, ? ? inferred or questionable evidence Note: Lander image is at a different scale

Interpretation and Summary 5 Possible Interpretation of Lander Image: I Solar Panel Lid Solar Panel Base CAD Model of Beagle 2 scaled to fit image pixel size and over laid for a visual best fit on image Sharpened Image Courtesy Tim Parker JPL/NASA: Overlay Beagle 2

Interpretation and Summary 6 Possible Interpretation of Lander Image: II Airbag? Solar Panel Lid Solar Panel Base Sharpened Image Courtesy Tim Parker JPL/NASA: Overlay Beagle 2

Interpretation and Summary 7 Possible Interpretation of Lander Image: III Solar Panel #1 Airbag? Lid Base Solar Panel #2 Sharpened Image Courtesy Tim Parker JPL/NASA: Overlay Beagle 2

Interpretation and Summary 8 Possible Interpretation of Lander Image: IV Base Solar Panel Lid Solar Panel Colour Image Courtesy Tim Parker JPL/NASA. Overlay Beagle 2

Interpretation and Summary 9 Summary: Interpretation of Lander Image l l l Imaging data is consistent with only partial deployment Base and lid opened One or more panels, maximum 3, deployed Can’t be reactivated if antenna covered Further imaging and analysis required

Interpretation and Summary 10 What Does It Mean? Beagle 2 successfully entered atmosphere l EDL Worked l Lander Software Started l Lander Deployment Started But Didn’t Finish l Reason ? TBD Long List: Airbag in close proximity, … l Most probably a “bad luck” scenario e. g. hard landing, less dense atmosphere, distorted structure, punctured airbag, …. l Beagle 2 is on Mars! And isn’t lost l

Interpretation and Summary 11 Beagle 2 Success (S) or Failure (F)? UK and ESA landed on Mars in 2003 (S) l Beagle 2 successfully entered atmosphere (S) l. Beagle 2 EDL system worked. An engineering success! (S) l Beagle 2 Lander didn’t fully deploy (F) l Innovative Project Academia and Industry, UK led (S) l Inspired many people (children, general public, scientists) (S) l Trained a generation of scientists and engineers in planetary science and engineering l Led indirectly to UK involvement in ESA’s Aurora Programme and Exo. Mars (S) l Lessons and experience from Beagle 2 being used in Exo. Mars and other Mars Missions (S) l Didn’t communicate after landing (F) l Didn’t provide science from surface (F) l

Interpretation and Summary 12 Summary/Next Steps More Imaging of Beagle 2 to confirm and try to narrow down scenario UK will and can go back to Mars and participate in the exploration of Space and the search for Life elsewhere (many opportunities) UK can do innovative science and engineering in Space science can be used to inspire the next generation of children, scientists and engineers and train them Follow-up Meeting

Interpretation and Summary 13 Beagle 2 Follow-Up Meeting A “Beagle 2 12 years after launch” meeting is being planned for 2 nd June 2015 to further discuss Beagle 2 and image data from Mars All members of the Beagle 2 Consortium plus others will be invited Location is probably Open University but this is TBC