[Lokibob]

From the beagle 2 web page:

 

 

 

 

:: landing timeline

	Leaving the orbiter
	Descent to the planet
	The landing site
	Landing timeline

Shown below is the expected timeline of the main mission events:

16th Dec 2003

All day

Fine targeting of Mars Express to point at the landing site

19th Dec

06:51 GMT

Decision to release Beagle 2

19th Dec

08:11 GMT

Eject command sent to Mars Express

19th Dec

10:15 GMT

First results of release available

20th Dec

All day

Retargeting of Mars Express on an orbital insertion course

23rd Dec

T.B.D.

Update on Mars Express orbital insertion sequence

24th Dec

Night

Final decision to steer Mars Express into a Martian orbit

25th Dec

02:54 GMT

Beagle 2 lands on Mars

25th Dec

03:00 GMT

Mars Express orbital insertion

25th Dec

05:15 GMT

Mars Odyssey orbiter flies over Beagle 2 - first possible signal retrieval from the lander

25th Dec

07:00 GMT

First evaluation of Mars Express orbital insertion

25th Dec

07:15 GMT

Sunset on Mars (18:35 local solar time)

25th Dec

20:02 GMT

Sunrise on Mars (07:02 local solar time)

25th Dec

22:45 GMT

Possible direct capture of Beagle 2 signals at Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK)

26th Dec

07:55 GMT

Sunset on Mars (18:36 local solar time)

[ASA Vet]

Here's the mission:

Search for criteria relating to past life on Mars including:
--presence of water
--existence of carbonate minerals
--occurrence of organic residues
--complexity and structure of organic material
--isotopic fractionation between organic and inorganic --phases.
--Seek trace atmospheric species indicative of extant life.

Measure the detailed atmospheric composition to establish the geological history
of the planet and to document the processes involved in seasonal climatic
changes or diurnal cycling.

Investigate the oxidative state of the martian surface,
rock interiors and beneath boulders.

Examine the geological nature of the rocks, their chemistry,
mineralogy, petrology and age.

Characterise the geomorphology of the landing site.

Appraise the environmental conditions including temperature,
pressure, wind speed, UV flux, oxidation potential, dust environment etc.