N° 5–2004: Europe's eye on Mars: first spectacular results from Mars Express

Although the seven scientific instruments on board Mars Express are still undergoing a thorough calibration phase, they have already started collecting amazing results. The first high-resolution images and spectra of Mars have already been acquired.

This first spectacular stereoscopic colour picture was taken on 14 January 2004 by ESA’s Mars Express satellite from 275 km above the surface of Mars by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). This image is available on the ESA portal at: http://mars.esa.int

The picture shows a portion of a 1700 km long and 65 km wide swath which was taken in south-north direction across the Grand Canyon of Mars (Valles Marineris). It is the first image of this size that shows the surface of Mars in high resolution (12 metres per pixel), in colour, and in 3D. The total area of the image on the Martian surface (top left corner) corresponds to 120 000 km². The lower part of the picture shows the same region in perspective view as if seen from a low-flying aircraft. This perspective view was generated on a computer from the original image data. One looks at a landscape which has been predominantly shaped by the erosional action of water. Millions of cubic kilometres of rock have been removed, and the surface features seen now such as mountain ranges, valleys, and mesas, have been formed.

The HRSC is just one of the instruments to have collected exciting data. To learn more about the very promising beginning to ESA's scientific exploration of Mars, media representatives are invited to attend a press conference on Friday, 23 January 2004, at 11:00 CET at ESA’s Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, and in video-conference with the other ESA centres.

There, under the auspices of ESA Council Chair at Ministerial level, Germany's Minister for Education and Research, Mrs Edelgard Bulmahn, ESA's Director of the Scientific Programme, Prof. David Southwood and the Principal Investigators of all instruments on board Mars Express will present the first data and preliminary results.

Also a spectacular, three-dimensional video sequence, featuring famous landmarks on the surface of Mars “as seen through European eyes” will be unveiled for the first time on Friday 23 January.

For further information, please contact:

ESA Media Relations Office

Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155

Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

 

FIRST RESUSLTS FROM MARS EXPRESS PRESS CONFERENCE

ESA/ESOC - Robert Bosch Strasse 5 - Darmstadt (Germany)

Friday 23 January 2004 - 11h00

First Name: _________________ Surname:_____________________

Media: ____________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Tel: _______________________ Fax: _________________________

Mobile: ____________________ E-mail: ______________________

[ ] I will be attending the media event at the following establishment

[ ] I will not be attending

[ ] Germany

Location: ESA/ESOC

Address: Robert-Bosch-Strasse 5, Darmstadt

Opening hours: 10:30 - 13:00

Contact: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin, Tel: +49.6151.90.2696 - Fax: +49.6151.90.2961

[ ] France

Location: ESA HQ

Address: 8/10, rue Mario Nikis, Paris - Salle 137

Opening hours: 10:30 - 13:00

Contact: Anne-Marie Rémondin, Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155 - Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

[ ] The Netherlands

Location: ESA/ESTEC

Address: Keplerlaan 1, Noordwijk - Wintergarden

Opening hours: 10:30 - 13:00

Contact: Heidi Graf, Tel: +31.71.565.3006 - Fax: +31.71.565.5728

[ ] Italy

Location: ESA/ESRIN

Address: Via Galileo Galilei, Frascati,Ada Byron Room (ex-cinema room)

Opening hours: 10h30 - 13h00

Contact: Franca Morgia, Tel: +39.06.9418.0951 - Fax: +39.06.9418.0952