Fact Sheet
First Glimpse
The European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft transmitted this image of Mars back to Earth last week. The planet's north polar ice cap is at the top of the picture, which was snapped from a distance of 3.4 million miles (5.5 millioin km). Mars Express is scheduled to enter orbit around Mars on Christmas Day. The Beagle 2 lander, which will be released from Mars Express on December 19, also will arrive at Mars on Christmas Day. We will have more information on the missions in our December 22 and 23 broadcasts. [Credit: ESA]
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