Mars Express - The Scientific Payload
Publication date: 16 August 2004
Authors: Mars Express instrument PIs and ESA scientists
Journal: ESA Special Publication
Volume: SP-1240
Page: pp. 1-219
Year: 2004
Copyright: ESA 2004
Editor: Andrew Wilson
Scientific Coordination: Agustin Chicarro
This ESA Special Publication focuses on the Mars Express scientific instrumentation and its state about a year after launch in order to include some initial scientific discoveries. In spite of the Beagle 2 failure, the lander's payload is also thoroughly described here because it is of the highest scientific value. Furthermore, the orbiter instruments are looking specifically for possible evidence of past or present life. No other mission to Mars since NASA's Viking missions in the 1970s has made exobiology so central to its scientific goals.
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