Space

DATE=12/19/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / MARS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-311037

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: OFFICIAL TITLE IS BEAGLE 2, WRITTEN AS A NUMERAL///

INTRO: European scientists say the British-built Beagle 2 probe has successfully separated from its mother ship, a critical step in its journey toward a Christmas Day (December 25th) landing on Mars. V-O-A's Michael Drudge has more from London.

TEXT: The space experts say they are relieved and excited after the Mars Express orbiter sprung the Beagle 2 free for its rendezvous with the Red Planet.

The separation was triggered by 115 commands sent across 250-million kilometers of space to the unmanned orbiter from the European Space Agency mission control center in Darmstadt, Germany.

Beagle 2 is the brainchild of British scientist Colin Pillinger, who sees the mission as a historic opportunity.

///PILLINGER ACT///

This was definitely a case of seize the moment because Mars is closer to Earth than it has been ever in the last 60-thousand years and this was the one opportunity when Europe was going to launch a spacecraft to Mars and far be it for me to find myself in a position years from now and to say, "I missed it."

///END ACT///

If all goes as planned, Beagle 2 will land on Mars on December 25th, Christmas Day, to begin a six-month search for signs of life in a region once thought to have been a Martian sea.

This is Europe's first mission to another planet. It is being followed by two American mobile landers expected to touch down on Mars in January. (Signed).

NEB/MWD/MAR/MEM