Maybe the European Space Agency's version of 'cheaper, better, faster' is running into problems.
The Guardian reports: Not a whimper from Beagle 2 on Mars The project's chief scientist, Professor Colin Pillinger, told waiting reporters: "I'm afraid it's a bit disappointing, but it's not the end of the world. Please don't go away from here believing we've lost the spacecraft."
I admire the way Professor Pillinger took the initiative in this project; let's hope they can get it to work.
UPDATE Dec 25, 2003 9:45 pm
The Guardian's report was posted just after noon British time (or should I say 'Greenwich Mean Time'?)
The second attempt at contacting Beagle 2 failed, according to a Reuters report filed at 1:30 am British time.
Scientists will make their next bid to trace it at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, using a mission rocket orbiting the planet. They can try again at regular intervals over the next few weeks but with each failed attempt, hopes for the mission grow slimmer.
