Experts seek reasons why Beagle sends no signal

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 26, 2003

Experts seek reasons why Beagle sends no signal

Experts across Europe are wondering why the Beagle 2 probe hasn't sent any signal as it may have landed on the Mars.

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Experts across Europe are wondering why the Beagle 2 probe hasn't sent any signal as it may have landed on the Mars.

Expert of the European Space Agency (EPA) Walter Flury said there were several reasons why there hasn't been any signal from the probe.

"Perhaps the signal was not strong enough. The probe has flown with Battery for six days and the cell must be recharged with solar equipment," Flury said.

It was also possible that the US Mars orbiter Odyssey, which was expected to receive signals, was not in the orbit right over the landing site of Beagle 2, he added.

"I'm afraid it's a bit disappointing - but it's not the end of the world," Beagle's leading scientist, Professor Colin Pillinger,said in London Thursday.

"Please don't go away from here believing we've lost the spacecraft."

Mike Healey from Beagle 2's constructor Astrium UK said he had not contemplated a "negative scenario". "It really should have been able to communicate with Odyssey this morning," he said.

"But it could have landed in the wrong place or it may not haveopened successfully, and the aerial may be pointing in the wrong direction."

The next possible contact with Beagle 2 will be on Thursday evening when the giant Jodrell Bank telescope in Britain will comeon line at about 2200 GMT to listen for signals, experts say.

EPA scientists said they were confident that sweep will pick upa signal from Beagle 2 if it has made it to the planet surface in one piece and is functioning as expected.

However, if nothing has been received by Dec. 26, hopes for Beagle 2 will start to fade.

The probe must recharge its batteries on the day it lands or itwill not survive the first night on Mars.

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