Mars Express Retargeting complete

At 11:50 CET [1050 UTC], flight controllers at ESOC confirmed the success of a
crucial repointing manoeuvre, setting Mars Express on its final course for Mars
Orbit Insertion.

Yesterday, in order to send Beagle 2 on its way to a Mars landing, Mars Express
first had to be steered onto a collision course with the planet.

Today’s manoeuvre successfully redirected the spacecraft away from Mars, back to
a point 400 kilometres above the surface, where it is due to enter orbit early
on Christmas Day.

More about …

* Europe goes to Mars

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/index.html

* Mars Express overview

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/120379_index_0_m.html

Related articles

* The search for life

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMAGE1P4HD_exploring_0.html

* Crucial moments on the way to Mars

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM5Z0UZJND_0.html

* Testing times: An interview with Con McCarthy

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMZTOXLDMD_people_0_iv.html

* Point and shoot

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM2TP274OD_0.html

Related links

* Beagle 2 lander homepage

http://www.beagle2.com

IMAGE CAPTION:
[http://www.esa.int/export/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMUW0374OD_1.html]
The Mars Express orbiter is being retargeted to avoid collision with Mars.