Mars Express: 20 Years of Mission, Science Operations and Data Archiving
Johnstone, A.; Geiger, B.; Määttänen, A.; Martin, P.; Wilson, C.; Bruno, M.; Nespoli, F.; Grotheer, E.; Heather, D.; Wood, S.; Riu, L.; Ashman, M.; Merritt, D.; Breitfellner, M.; Cardesin-Moinelo, A.; Companys, V.; Sierra, M.; Godfrey, J.; Blake, R.; Damiani, S.; Dressler, T.; Lucas, L.; Marin-Yaseli de la Parra, J.; Antoja-Lleonart, G.; Muniz, C.; Escalante, A.; Hepburn, A.; Pistone, V.; Raga, F.; Valles, R.
Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Netherlands
Abstract
Launched on 2 June 2003 and arriving at Mars on 25 December 2003 after a 7-month interplanetary cruise, Mars Express was the European Space Agency's first mission to arrive at another planet. After more than 20 years in orbit, the spacecraft and science payload remain in good health and the mission has become the second oldest operational planetary orbiter after Mars Odyssey.