Long-lost Mars probe might have been found

The UK Space Agency is expected to announce that the Mars lander Beagle 2, which vanished while attempting a Christmas Day landing on the Red Planet in 2003, has been spotted by an orbiting spacecraft
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BEAGLE 2: Lost contact after release from mothership, Mars Express Orbiter, on Dec 19, 2003

Scientists suspect probe broke up on impact

After touch-down, Beagle 2 was supposed to open like clamshell to deploy solar panels and instruments designed to look for signs of life on Mars

Object thought to be remains of lander spotted with HiRise camera on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in Isidis basin, where Beagle 2 was due to land

Parachute and triple air bags meant to cushion impact
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ISIDIS PLANITIA

Projected landing site
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Source: ESA

Pictures: NASA/JPL

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