Of all the innovative science and technology engineered into Europe's Mars Express mission, perhaps none is so bold as the lander. Christened Beagle 2, after Charles Darwin's legendary vessel, the lander will be pioneering in more ways than one. If successful, it will mark the first time countries other than the U.S. or the Soviet Union have landed a spacecraft on another planet. And assuming NASA's two Athena probes touch down safely, it will be the first time three landers have reached such a body at the same time.
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