Mars Express Successfully Orbits Mars

Europe’s Mars Express, the first spacecraft it has ever sent to Mars has successfully reached capture orbit.

Mars Express will remain in orbit around Mars for at least one Martian year, 687 Earth days. During this time its suite of seven scientific instruments will remotely investigate the Martian atmosphere, surface and subsurface.

While Mars Express has successfully reached orbit mission controllers are waiting for a signal from the Beagle 2 lander which should now be on the Martian surface.