European Space Agency's Mars Express: Searching for Signs of Life on the Red Planet

The European Space Agency launched its first probe, Mars Express, to Mars to search for life signs. The mission, launched on a Russian Soyuz booster, will take six months to reach Mars. It is part of a series of missions due to Mars' close approach to Earth. The launch was successful, and the spacecraft is functioning well. Before orbiting Mars, the British-built Beagle 2 lander will be released to explore the surface for water and methane. The mothercraft will stay in orbit to study the Martian climate and relay data from Beagle 2 back to Earth.

What is the primary mission of the Mars Express probe?

• To test new space technology

• To map the surface of Mars

• To search for signs of life

• To study the Martian moons

What prompted the recent flurry of Mars missions?

• A new discovery of water on Mars

• International collaboration in space exploration

• Mars' unusually close approach to Earth

• Advancements in space technology

What is the role of the Beagle 2 lander in the Mars Express mission?

• To communicate with other Mars missions

• To land on Mars and search for water and methane

• To return samples from Mars to Earth

• To orbit Mars and collect atmospheric data

What will the Mars Express mothercraft do while in orbit?

• Monitor the Martian climate and atmosphere

• Collect samples from the Martian surface

• Land on Mars to conduct experiments

• Return to Earth with data

Which country built the Beagle 2 lander?

• Russia

• United Kingdom

• United States

• Germany